Tragic Discovery at Wisconsin College Dorm Involving Two Students
Two Female Students Found Dead in Wisconsin College Dormitory
In addition to news of the deaths of two female college students, the relatives of one of the victims have created a GoFundMe page and the family of the other victim has written a moving online obituary.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, a horrific shooting at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s (UW-Platteville) Wilgus Hall claimed the lives of two 22-year-old women, according to authorities. Campus police say they reacted quickly to a reported incident at the residence hall.
When they arrived, they found that Hallie Helms and Kelsie Martin had been shot and seriously injured. Martin was flown to UW Hospital via Med-Flight after being taken to Southwest Health.
She later was declared dead despite medical efforts. According to a preliminary autopsy, she was shot and died.
Investigators concluded that no other people were involved in the crime after Helms, who was also discovered at the scene, was found to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The threat was swiftly contained, UW-Platteville Police Chief Hallman stressed at a press conference later that evening.
A shelter-in-place notice was issued immediately after the incident, but it was canceled shortly after 5 p.m. after authorities determined it was an isolated incident.
The institution has canceled all final exams and evaluations for the rest of the week as the campus deals with the emotional consequences. Additionally, the university advised anyone with queries to contact faculty or college deans.
UW-Platteville has increased access to mental health resources, like Mantra’s Care Hub, to aid in the grieving process. For students in need, triage counseling services have been set up, and from Monday through Tuesday, emotional support lines manned by certified specialists were open all night.
New information has started to surface after this first report of the tragedy, providing more insight into the event that has shaken the UW-Platteville community.
The event that killed the two students was described as both “targeted” and “isolated,” according to a university update released Tuesday night, which also reaffirmed that no additional people were involved. Around 4 p.m., the tragic incident took place.
As the Assistant Resident Director of Wilgus Hall, Martin was a committed psychology major from Beloit, Wisconsin, as well as a campus leader. The other student, Helms, was from Baraboo, and he was studying elementary education.
Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Laura Reynolds and other university representatives stressed the value of giving the campus time to cope with the loss.
School officials urged students to support one another at this “difficult time,” emphasizing that the university’s close-knit culture will be its greatest source of comfort in a heartfelt statement posted online.
“We are deeply saddened to know this event has negative [sic] impact on our pioneers,” Reynolds stated. “We know students will want to focus on their own well-being and spend time with friends and family.”
Images from the scene, taken soon after the disaster, showed how serious the situation was: squad cars lined the resident hall parking lot, and crime scene tape around the structure.
University officials confirmed that support services will be available during the summer to make sure students won’t have to deal with this difficult time alone.
New, unauthorized, and unique information revealed by radio personality Dan O’Donnell on his show has added a troubling level of complexity to the tragedy as the inquiry continues. In the moments preceding the shooting, Helms might have been experiencing a serious mental or emotional crisis, according to O’Donnell.
Helms had been described as “sobbing” and “inconsolable,” and his actions were said to be indicative of severe psychological suffering, possibly even suicide thoughts.
Martin was reportedly summoned to Helms’s room to try to assist her relax in response to the events that were developing.
Martin, the Assistant Resident Director of Wilgus Hall and a psychology student with a human services concentration, would have been seen as a reassuring, competent figure.
She was not a certified crisis intervention specialist, though, and she was unable to foresee the danger she was entering, as O’Donnell noted. Helms had apparently obtained a firearm without anyone’s knowledge.
Martin could not have realized that Helms was armed or capable of turning a weapon on herself or anybody else, O’Donnell stressed. Some people on campus are feeling uneasy about the disclosure.
According to reports, a number of worried parents reached out to O’Donnell to voice their disappointment that a student—rather than police enforcement or a mental health specialist—was dispatched to manage what seems to have been a growing mental health crisis.
Rather than blaming the university, O’Donnell said, “I’m not necessarily sure whether this is something that can be pinned on UW-Plattville.
Martin’s family has established an online tribute to commemorate her life and impact in the wake of her tragic death.
As a witness to the vast number of people Martin impacted, the tribute wall has rapidly filled with sincere condolences and recollections from friends, family, and neighbors.
Many have offered prayers and lit virtual lights in remembrance of the young woman who was recalled as kind, determined, and unendingly generous.
Martin’s obituary provides insight into a life filled with accomplishment and meaning.
Martin, a native of Beloit and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of UW-Platteville, was a standout student and a passionate leader who served as the Psychology Club President. Her goals went beyond graduation; that September, she intended to start a Master of Social Work degree.
According to her loved ones, Martin was “a true ray of sunshine” who lived life to the fullest, whether it was volunteering, trekking, or just spreading happiness to others. Her mother and brothers are among the many loved ones that survive her.
On Friday, May 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., there will be a Visitation of Remembrance at the Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home in Beloit, Wisconsin.
To commemorate her memory and cover associated costs, Martin’s family has also started a GoFundMe page.
The fundraising emphasizes her academic prowess as well as her profound influence as a daughter, sister, and friend, characterizing her as an exceptional student and motivating role model.
The campaign has received a lot of support; so far, it has raised almost $14,800, exceeding its $12,000 target.
Helms’s family also paid tribute to the 22-year-old’s life with a heartfelt online obituary. According to their description, she is a talented artist and a passionate gamer who enjoys playing games like “Minecraft” and “Legend of Zelda.
” Helms, who had recently graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville, was a proud graduate of Baraboo High School.
Her parents and sisters, as well as a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives, survive her. Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home will host funeral services on Tuesday, May 27. Burial will take place in North Freedom after the ceremonies.
As they grieve such profound losses, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Martin and Helms, as well as to all of their loved ones, friends, classmates, teachers, and communities.
In the midst of their loss, we wish them healing. Martin and Helms, rest in peace.
