by Harvard, Illinois – A Wisconsin couple who had been married for less than a year was found fatally shot inside their car along Route 14 late Monday night, just one week before what would have been their first wedding anniversary.
Couple Discovered in Car With Hazard Lights On
According to the Harvard Police Department, an officer on patrol noticed a vehicle stopped on Route 14 northbound near Burbank Street just before midnight on October 6. Believing it to be a stranded motorist, the officer pulled over to offer assistance.
When the officer approached the car, he made a devastating discovery — a woman in the driver’s seat and a man in the passenger seat, both unresponsive and later confirmed dead at the scene. Authorities said the car’s hazard lights were flashing when police arrived.
Victims Identified as Wisconsin Couple
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Rachel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, both residents of Sharon, Wisconsin. The couple had married on October 12, 2024, and were just days away from celebrating their one-year anniversary.
Their love story, shared on their wedding website on The Knot, painted a picture of a bond years in the making. Rachel wrote that she and Brandon met in middle school when they were just 12 years old. “I caught Brandon’s attention by stealing cologne from his locker and running away with it,” she fondly recalled.
After remaining friends for 15 years, the two reconnected in 2022, began dating, and later got engaged in the summer of 2023. Brandon proposed on Big Cedar Lake in Slinger, Wisconsin, a place that held special meaning for Rachel due to her grandparents’ home there.
On their page, Rachel wrote, “We can’t wait to share the next chapter of our love story surrounded by our friends and family.”
Preliminary Findings Indicate Gunshot Wounds
Investigators said that both Rachel and Brandon had sustained single gunshot wounds, and a firearm was recovered inside the vehicle. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the incident was the result of a murder-suicide or if another suspect may have been involved.
Shortly after the discovery, the Harvard Police Department issued an alert to nearby residents, warning of a heavy police presence in the area and urging people to shelter in place until further notice.
A few hours later, police confirmed that there was no ongoing threat to the community, suggesting that the tragic event was an isolated incident.
Investigation Still Active
The Harvard Police Department and McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT) are jointly handling the case. Detectives are working to establish a timeline of events leading up to the couple’s deaths, including when the pair left Wisconsin and how long the vehicle had been parked on Route 14.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras to determine whether anyone else was present near the scene that night.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Harvard Police Department at (815) 943-4431. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Crime Stoppers hotline at (815) 943-4343 or via email at crimestoppers@cityofharvard.org.
Community in Shock Over Couple’s Deaths
The Dumovich family’s friends and loved ones have been left heartbroken by the tragedy. Neighbors in Sharon described the couple as kind, quiet, and deeply devoted to one another, sharing that they often saw Rachel and Brandon taking walks together or spending time outdoors.
Social media tributes poured in following the announcement of their deaths, with friends calling them “a perfect match” and “two of the sweetest souls gone too soon.”
Local residents expressed grief over the loss of two young lives, especially given the timing so close to their first anniversary. “It’s just devastating,” one family friend told local media. “They were so in love and had their whole future ahead of them.”
Remembering Rachel and Brandon
While police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths, those who knew Rachel and Brandon are focusing on the love story that began in their youth and was tragically cut short far too soon.
Their families have not yet released details regarding funeral services, but community members from both Sharon, Wisconsin, and Harvard, Illinois, are expected to gather in remembrance of the couple in the coming days.
As the investigation continues, the Dumovich tragedy stands as a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be — even for those seemingly living a dream just beginning.
What do you think about this tragic case? Should police release more details about the cause of death? Share your thoughts in the comments at race-day-live.com.
