Karen Flechner, 46
WI, West Allis, Milwaukee Co.
Karen's murder has left her teenaged Daughter and adult Son to continue on without their Mother in their lives
Karen died after being shot to death in the living room of her home by her husband, Robert Flechner, 48. Robert shot Karen in the chest and then killed himself. Their 19-year-old son found their bodies and called the police. Neighbors reported seeing Robert arguing with Karen on the front porch earlier that evening.
Karen and Robert had been married almost 25 years. Karen wanted a divorce and they were in the process of separating at the time of the murder/suicide. Family members portray Robert as very controlling of Karen. He would also verbally attack Karen and her weight, and often accuse her of infidelity. In the year before her death, Karen had begun working, had lost 85-90 lbs. and developed new relationships. Robert was depressed about the separation.
Karen and Robert had separated once, early in their marriage. Family members report that Robert threatened suicide at that time if Karen did not reconcile and kept a gun in a nightstand near the bed. Karen had told a family member that Robert had threatened her life and that she feared he would kill her. Approximately six weeks prior to the murder/suicide, Robert had attempted suicide by cutting his wrists and stabbing himself. He told a family member afterward that he thought the suicide attempt had brought Karen and him closer together.
Neighbors and family members confirmed that Robert had heated verbal arguments with Karen, but they were not aware of any physical abuse. According to their daughter, Robert’s control had escalated in the weeks just before the homicide. Robert and Karen’s teenage son had hidden his father’s gun and the key to his gun case, and their teenage daughter had left the home to stay with her aunt to avoid the abuse. Following the suicide attempt, Robert had been ordered to see a counselor and was to return to work two days after his death.
Source:
WCADV.org - Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence - Homicide Reports - 2003 DV Homicide Report
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