A Wisconsin dad and his daughters died just hours after he attended a hearing with their mother to finalize their divorce.
The Winneconne Police Department and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a joint press release that Jeffrey Manke and his daughters, Jaelyn Manke and Lenora Manke, were found dead inside of a home in Winneconne, Wisconsin, on Friday, July 31.
Officers responded to the home around 7 p.m. after they received a report regarding a “medical incident and welfare check.”
Authorities said that the deaths appeared to have been an “isolated incident” and officials insisted there is “no danger or threat to the public.”
Police have not shared any additional details about how Jeffrey, 57, Jaelyn, 16, and Lenoa, 11, died. Authorities confirmed that the investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
Jeffrey and his ex-wife, Lindsay Lewandowski, finalized their divorce just hours before he and their daughters were found dead, according to court records cited by WLUK.
Jeffrey and Lewandowski were granted shared legal custody of their daughters, which had been their arrangement since Lewandowski filed for divorce in 2024, according to court documents viewed by Oshkosh Northwestern.
Following the tragedy, Lewandowski took to Facebook to claim that she had repeatedly raised concerns about her daughters’ safety while under the care of Jeffrey.
“I’m so sad. Everyone they talked to knew they were not safe in his care. And I fought so hard to try to keep them safe. The family counselor dismissed them and refused to continue working with them. The gal knew they didn’t want to be there. Cps reports were made. Cops were called,” she wrote. “I was legally forced to send them when they felt unsafe. Nobody wanted to listen. If someone listened to their cries for help for the last 2 years , they would still be here . The system failed my babies.”
A GiveSendGo fundraiser has been set up to help Lewandowski pay for her daughters’ memorial expenses.
“Jaelyn and Lenora are remembered by all as the kindest and sweetest kids,” the fundraiser page stated. “Their love for God and family was seen by all and will leave a lasting impression on everyone who knew them.”
The fundraiser has raised more than $28,000 out of its $50,000 goal as of time of publication.
Police have asked that anyone with information regarding the case contact the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office at 920-236-7300.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
