Jeffrey Manke and his ex-wife, Lindsay Lewandowski, had finalized their divorce just hours before he and their two daughters, Jaelyn Manke and Lenora Manke, were found dead at his home in Winneconne, Wisconsin. Us can confirm the former couple had a contentious split before the tragic events occurred.
According to court hearing notes viewed by Us, Jeffrey, 57, and Lewandowski were at constant odds over custody after she filed for divorce in 2024.
During a hearing held on January 14, 2025, Jeffrey and Lewandowski, 38, agreed to joint legal custody with a shared equal placement schedule that had a week on week off placement arrangement.
Both Jeffrey and Lewandowski agreed to pay debts in their own names and their joint debts were divided among them. The court also awarded each party their own vehicles.
Meanwhile, it was agreed that their children would be homeschooled and that the parents and children would attend joint counseling.
Jeffrey’s ability to work was deemed an issue during the hearing. After noting he was not physically able to work due to medical issues, the court decided to not order him to seek employment.
The court also discussed tension between Jeffrey and his kids, including “an altercation with the older child during placement” and that school work was not being “completed while children were” with him.
It was revealed that Jeffrey “left the home for the benefit of the children due to issues the parties were having” and that the former couple had “communication issues previously” but that “things are getting better.”
A status hearing held on July 8, 2025, revealed that the parties were in mediation but that things were “not going well in custody and placement front.”
Nine months after Lewandowski filed for divorce, the court indicated that she was pregnant during a telephone conference on August 14, 2025 and in November 2025, Manke “objects to genetic testing,” per hearing notes.
The following month, Lewandowski asked that their “debt obligations remain the same but that both parties remain current with the debts.” When it came to custody, she asked that primary physical placement of the children be awarded to her immediately because Jeffrey allegedly had not been following through with school obligations for the children.
Jeffrey disputed Lewandowski’s claims and argued the court could not “change placement without input from the guardian ad litem.” Additionally, he asked that Lewandowski pay him child support.
The court concluded the hearing by agreeing to modify the temporary order of when the children were exchanged. The court also ordered that the parties split variable expenses based on placement, with Lewandowski paying for 71 percent of the costs and Jeffrey paying 29 percent. Additionally, Jeffrey was ordered to continue paying camper payments.
During a hearing on November 11, 2025, Jeffrey objected to a restriction on alcohol consumption stating there was “no issue,” while their children’s attorney expressed a “need for it.” The court ended up ordering the alcohol and drug restriction as recommended by the guardian ad litem.
The exes continued to discuss custody, with Jeffrey agreeing to joint legal custody, access to school and medical records and the homeschooling arrangement. While he agreed with the placement plan, he disagreed with having to follow a 72 hour notice for not exercising placement. The court ultimately ordered Jeffrey to give 48 hours notice if he was unable to have the children during his placement time. Additionally, the court implemented a new exchange schedule.
The hearing documents also stated that the court found Jeffrey to be “indigent.”
On December 29, 2025, it was revealed that Jeffrey took the children out of therapy without Lewandowski’s permission. Lewandowski’s attorney requested that Jeffrey pay $2,000 in attorney fees regarding the issue, which Jeffrey argued was unfair because he “changed counseling providers.” The court ultimately determined that he would pay $1,000 within 120 days to Lewandowski’s attorney.
The pair returned to court on February 20, where it was revealed that Jeffrey had “not cooperated with the vocational evaluation” he had previously been ordered to complete. He was then ordered to complete the vocational evaluation, but Jeffrey refused.
Jeffrey’s work was also brought up, in which he said he applied for disability and was still unable to work. The court ordered him to cooperate with a vocational evaluation and to provide any information that may be requested by the vocational expert, as well as his willingness to go to any meetings.
When it came to custody, Lewandowski once again asked for “sole legal custody or at least impasse breaking authority.” Jeffrey objected to the request. The court determined that the custody arrangement would remain the same and that Lewandowski was responsible for scheduling individual counseling for the children.
In their partial marital settlement agreement signed off on July 27, Jeffrey and Lewandowski stated that they both agreed it was “in the best interests of the minor children that the parties share joint legal custody for all issues.”
While they both agreed to homeschooling, the court determined that “the parties shall respect the wishes of the children as it relates to individual counseling.”
A judge ultimately signed off on the divorce petition on July 31.
Us previously reported that Jeffrey, Jaelyn, 16, and Lenora, 11, were found dead on July 31. Police have not yet confirmed their causes of death.
Three days later, Lewandowski took to Facebook to claim that her daughters “felt unsafe” with 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.”
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