Autopsy findings have revealed that Rachel and Brandon Dumovich, the Wisconsin newlyweds who were discovered lifeless inside their parked car last month, lost their lives in what authorities have now ruled a homicide-s**cide.
The update stunned netizens who had followed the case closely, especially since the pair were just days away from their first anniversary. The aftermath of the incident also raised more questions about the ill-fated couple’s relationship and what happens behind closed doors, and in between social media posts.
A haunting final post preceded the tragic discovery of a couple inside their car
Image credits: The Knot
The night of October 6 began like any other in Harvard, Illinois, until a police officer noticed a parked car with its hazard lights blinking along Route 14. Inside were two people who appeared unresponsive.
Officers quickly confirmed the worst. The occupants, later identified as Rachel Dumovich, 29, and her husband, 30-year-old Brandon Dumovich, had lost their lives inside the vehicle.
Image credits: Rachel Dumovich/Facebook
Hours earlier, Rachel had shared what would become her final online post: an image of her and Brandon on a sun-splashed trip to Greece, paired with the caption that read, “Forever chasing sunsets. Wishing we were back in Greece!”
She had also updated her Facebook profile photo that very day, choosing a selfie with Brandon.
Image credits: Rachel Dumovich/Facebook
The couple initially met in middle school and were friends for 15 years before starting to date in 2022. They were engaged a year later and married on October 12, 2024.
Their Rachel and Brandon Dumovich’s relationship looked perfect on paper and on social media
Image credits: Rachel Dumovich/Facebook
Their relationship, at least on paper, looked idyllic. Their wedding website described a lifelong friendship that blossomed into romance.
But neither obituary, released separately by their families, mentioned their marriage at all.
Police initially warned residents to shelter in place after discovering the vehicle, unsure whether danger remained.
Authorities later noted that the situation appeared to be an “isolated incident” and that there was “no indication of any ongoing threat to the community.”
Inside the car, investigators found a weapon. Rachel was discovered in the driver’s seat, Brandon in the passenger seat.
Early reports confirmed they had both sustained guns**t wounds to the head.
Image credits: Rachel Dumovich/Facebook
At that point, Chief Tyson Bauman of the Harvard Police Department told Fox News Digital that one person might have harmed the other before turning the weapon on themselves, but “no final determination” had been made at the time.
Autopsy findings ultimately revealed the truth behind the couple’s tragic passing
Image credits: Brandon Dumovich/Facebook
Autopsy results later confirmed what investigators had feared. According to the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, both individuals sustained fatal guns**t wounds to the head.
Investigators concluded that Brandon s**t Rachel before turning the weapon on himself, according to the Daily Mail.
“Based on the ongoing j*int investigation and the findings of the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, the incident is being deemed a homicide-s**cide.
“The investigation indicates that Brandon Dumovich fatally s**t Rachel Dumovich before taking his own life,” the Harvard Police Department wrote in a media release.
The confirmation left families, friends, and the larger community reeling, especially given the couple’s long history together.
Strange obituaries and past offenses have cast a shadow on the couple’s ill-fated relationship
Rachel’s obituary described her as a “natural connector, advocate, and loyal friend” with a “strong sense of empathy, compassion, social justice, and fair play.”
She was also described as a person who frequently championed “those who needed a voice.”
She was a University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee graduate who had worked as a human resources manager. Her family held her visitation and memorial service on October 17.
Image credits: The Knot
Brandon’s obituary highlighted his service in the U.S. Navy as a petty officer. His family stated that a private memorial service would be arranged “at a later date,” though it remains unclear if it occurred.
Neither Rachel nor Brandon’s obituaries referenced their marriage, which caught the eye of numerous netizens.
Public records added further complexity to the tragedy. As it turned out, Brandon had accumulated more than 30 traffic violations across Wisconsin and Illinois, including a DUI in 2016, which he resolved through a plea deal.
Image credits: Brandon Dumovich/Facebook
Rachel, too, had past traffic citations, though far fewer. Seven of her citations were for speeding.
Despite the complicated details that surfaced after the couple’s passing, police emphasized that their priority remained the families.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and all those affected as the investigation moves forward,” Chief Bauman previously said.