STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT DODGE COUNTY

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1 STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT DODGE COUNTY STATE OF WISCONSIN Gabriel Joseph Brandl 726 Klatt St Clyman, WI DOB: 11/29/1986 Sex/Race: M/W Eye Color: Blue Hair Color: Blonde Height: 5 ft 5 in Weight: 130 lbs Alias: -vs- Plaintiff, Defendant, DA Case No.: 2016DD Assigned DA/ADA: Kurt F. Klomberg Agency Case No.: Court Case No.: ATN: CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FILED Clerk of Circuit Court Dodge County, WI 2016CF The undersigned, being first duly sworn, states that: Count 1: HIDING A CORPSE The above-named defendant on or about Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at 11:11 AM, in the City of Watertown, Dodge County, Wisconsin, did hide a corpse with the intent to avoid apprehension for a crime, contrary to sec (2), (3)(f) Wis. Stats., a Class F Felony, and upon conviction may be fined not more than Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), or imprisoned not more than twelve (12) years and six (6) months, or both. PROBABLE CAUSE: The undersigned has reviewed the reports of the law enforcement officers referenced below and believes them to be true and correct as these reports were created by law enforcement officers while they were acting in their official capacity. - From the report of Detective Michael Reissmann Case Assignment: On Tuesday, May 31, 2016, I, Detective Michael T. Reissmann, was assigned to investigate the death of Holly Joy Nehls, F/W, DOB I was advised by Lt. Brian Drumm that Nehls body had been brought to the Watertown Memorial Hospital located at 125 Hospital Drive in the City of Watertown, Dodge County, Wisconsin. I was informed that the driver of the vehicle was at the hospital and that Watertown Police officers were on the scene. The initial report was that Nehls had overdosed on heroin and that she was at the 06/02/2016

2 Clyman Park when she used the heroin that killed her. I was told that the driver of the vehicle was speaking to Watertown Police officers, but that Watertown didn t believe they had jurisdiction to handle the case. Detective Andy Rolfs and I responded to the Watertown Hospital. While in route to the Watertown Hospital, I requested Dodge County deputies respond to the Clyman Park which is located in the Village of Clyman in the County Of Dodge in the State of Wisconsin to attempt to locate and seize any evidence related to Nehls death and/or the use of drugs. Arrival at Hospital: I arrived at the Watertown Memorial Hospital near the emergency room entrance where I made contact with Watertown Detective Timothy Wacker. Det. T. Wacker directed me to a maroon colored 2010 Dodge Charger with Wisconsin registration 224-JGX. The vehicle had been secured with police crime scene tape and I was told that Nehls body was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. I will note that the body in the front passenger seat of the vehicle was covered with a sheet or a blanket of some type and I could not see the deceased. I will note that I recalled Nehls was involved in an automobile accident many years back in which she had suffered a double amputation of the legs. In looking at the vehicle, I noticed there were driver assist devices on the steering wheel and in the back seat of the vehicle. I was told by Det. Wacker that Detective Mike Beisbier was inside the hospital, talking with the subject who had brought Nehls deceased body to the hospital. I later learned that this person was Gabriel Joseph Brandl. Det. Wacker also explained that the hospital staff had been summoned to the vehicle by Brandl. When hospital staff responded to the vehicle, it was determined that Nehls was dead and that they could not do anything for her. The hospital staff covered Nehls body with the sheet and notified the Watertown Police Department at approximately 10:25 a.m. Det. Wacker stated that Brandl was very talkative and was providing information about what had happened. It was at that time they learned of a possible suspect named Brandl. I was told that Nehls may have ingested heroin that she had obtained from TLJ, who lived off of County Highway CW. Det. Rolfs and I decided to let Det. Beisbier continue collecting information and that he and I would work on processing the scene. It was decided that Det. Rolfs and I wanted to talk to Det. Beisbier regarding his interview with Brandl so Det. Wacker went into the hospital and Det. Beisbier came out to the scene and told us what he had learned. It appeared as though Brandl had a lot of important information and that it would be best documented in a recorded interview. We decided to bring Brandl to the Watertown Police Department to conduct that interview. Det. Beisbier and I decided that we would have Brandl exit the hospital in a different area so as not to re-expose him to the death scene. It was decided that Det. Rolfs would be responsible for processing Nehls body and the vehicle and that I would take over for Det. Beisbier with the interview of Brandl. I drove to the Watertown Police Department where I met with Det. Beisbier in the Detective s Suite where we conducted an interview of Brandl. First Interview of Gabriel Joseph Brandl: At approximately 12:45 p.m., Det. Beisbier and I interviewed Brandl. Brandl was not in custody at that time. Brandl was advised that he was not under arrest and that I had no intentions of arresting him. I showed Brandl the door for the room, I opened and closed the 06/02/2016 2

3 door to show Brandl that the door wasn t locked and I told Brandl, If you decide I don t wanna talk to you guys anymore you can just say, I don t wanna talk I wanna leave. I explained to Brandl that he was not under arrest and that I did not have any reason to arrest him. Brandl agreed with me and indicated that he understood that he wasn t under arrest and that his statements were voluntarily and that he was willing to talk to me. Brandl also mentioned several times during the interview that he understood that he wasn t under arrest. Brandl stated, I totally understand what you are saying. I told Brandl that I wanted to talk about facts first and then we would talk about opinion at a later time. Brandl talked about is drug addiction. He told me that his drug of choice was heroin and that he had been an addict for about 6 years. Brandl stated that over the years, he had times when he was clean and times when he would relapse and was using. Brandl explained that recently he had been able to curb his drug use and the duration in between relapsing became longer. Brandl explained that when he first started, he would crush them and then sniff them. Brandl stated that after using pills for a while, he built up a tolerance. Brandl stated that he found out that there was heroin and that heroin was a lot stronger and cheaper than prescription pills and that shooting the heroin would hit you so much faster and so much stronger. Brandl told me that he knew he was a heroin addict and that he didn t want to be a heroin addict. Brandl told me that in about 2010, he became friends with TLJ through a mutual friend. Brandl told me that he had been getting most, if not all of his drugs from TLJ since Brandl told me that Nehls got most of her drugs from TLJ as well. Brandl stated that in the beginning he would get Perc Pills (Percocet) from TLJ. Brandl stated that he didn t think that TLJ cut the heroin when he got it. Brandl told me that sometimes he gets really good heroin from TLJ and sometimes he gets complete crap. I asked Brandl how the heroin was that he got on Monday and he told me, It was pretty good. Brandl told me that he thought TLJ got his heroin from Rockford, Illinois, and that sometimes he would get as much as 9 to 10 grams. Brandl told me that he doesn t know who that is in Illinois. Brandl told me that he knows of a guy that TLJ gets heroin from in Fort Atkinson. Brandl stated that if he had his phone that he would contact TLJ to get heroin, most recently Nehls would contact him. Brandl told me that he did use FaceBook messenger to obtain drugs. Brandl told me that TLJ off of County Highway CW. Brandl told me that he could show me on a map where TLJ lived. I used Google Earth and retrieved an aerial image and showed it to Brandl. Brandl looked at the image and I zoomed into and moved the image until Brandl was able to identify a trailer on Warbler Way and further described it as being white with brown trim. Brandl indicated that he had seen Nehls die in front of me. Brandl told me that he was very worried about talking with the police and he was worried about what was going to happen. Brandl told me that when he told TLJ that Nehls was dead and TLJ told him not to mention his name and that he should ask for a lawyer. Brandl stated that he and TLJ had come up with a story about how Nehls had died. TLJ instructed Brandl to tell the police he wants an attorney and don t talk. TLJ told Brandl not to mention his name at all. Brandl told me that TLJ told him not to mention any names; that he didn t even need to mention any names at all. 06/02/2016 3

4 Brandl told me that when he, Nehls and TLJ were at the Clyman Park, TLJ stated that he had some heroin with him. Brandl told me that neither he nor Nehls had any money to pay him for the heroin. TLJ agreed to Front them the heroin. Brandl indicated that Nehls would get paid on the first and that Nehls would be able to pay TLJ at that time for the heroin. Brandl stated that TLJ fronted him (2) and Nehls (2), which he clarified were (2) $20.00 packs of heroin. It was at that time that Brandl leaned over toward Det. Beisbier and stated that he hadn t told Det. Beisbier the truth before and he looked at me and told me, Holly wanted to shoot it. Brandl stated that Nehls wanted to feel what we (TLJ and Brandl) feel, which he explained meant that Nehls wanted to feel the rush of injecting the heroin. Brandl told me that Nehls had always snorted her heroin and that she had never shot heroin before. Brandl indicated that he didn t want her to snort it and they kind of argued a little bit. Brandl then said, I helped her shoot up I helped her shoot up the heroin. Brandl stated that Nehls was OK at first, but then she went out. Brandl stated that Nehls was fine, but that she was out. Brandl stated that they (him and TLJ) got her into the car. Brandl told me that he and TLJ drove around with Nehls in the car. Brandl indicated that Nehls was alive, but she wouldn t wake up, even though they were trying to wake her up. Brandl said that Nehls was snoring and they thought that she was going to snap out of it at any time. Brandl indicated TLJ was driving and that TLJ was leading the crusade, telling him that Nehls was going to snap out of it and she will be OK. Brandl told me that he told TLJ that they should take her to the hospital, but that TLJ talked him out of that. Brandl stated that he was panicking at this point, but he was telling himself that Nehls will snap out of it. Brandl indicates that he thought that they were driving around for about 3 hours and then they go back to TLJ s house. He claims that Nehls was snoring, breathing, but had not woken up yet. Brandl indicated that while at TLJ s, he does more heroin. Brandl stated that he did (2) Fat 20 s which means he did two $20 packs of heroin, which are bigger than normal. Brandl stated he was at TLJ s for about 15 minutes and then he decided he was going to leave and that he needed to get Holly going. Brandl told me that he then drove Nehls vehicle through Watertown and that when he is near the Walmart, he notices that Nehls stops breathing. Brandl indicated that he stopped the car and he started doing CPR on Nehls. Brandl indicated that while he is doing CPR, that he realizes that she is deceased. Brandl stated that he thought this was at about midnight or 1:00 a.m. in the morning. Brandl told me that after Nehls was dead, he went back to TLJ s and told TLJ that Nehls was dead. Brandl told TLJ, She died now man she is gone. Brandl told me that TLJ told him that he can t say anything about him and not to mention his name at all because Jannke had given them the Boy or heroin from TLJ. Brandl indicated that he struggled with what to do, he didn t want to get TLJ into trouble, but he also wanted to do what was right for Nehls and he told me that he struggled with that throughout the morning hours and what I was Brandl indicated he didn t know what to do and he was scared. Brandl stated that TLJ then put the burden on him stating, You gotta go take care of this, you gotta take her to the hospital. Brandl stated he was still pretty high at this time, but he remembered the sun was coming up and it being dusk and he recalled driving around going places, parking, walking around, thinking. Brandl then states that he went back to TLJ s and told him he needed help and that TLJ wouldn t help him, basically telling him to deal with it yourself and you are on your own. Brandl stated that TLJ told him to take her to the hospital. Brandl stated that he made up a story and took her to the hospital. Brandl stated that he had known TLJ for a long time and he admitted he was trying to cover for him and that is why he made up the story about the guys he didn t know at the Clyman Park. 06/02/2016 4

5 Brandl stated that he and Nehls got to the park at about 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. and that TLJ had arrived at the park at around 5:30 p.m. Brandl told me that TLJ didn t have a vehicle and that he arrived at the park with a guy. Brandl had never seen him before, who was driving a red mini-van. Then they barbequed food and initially there was no talk of drugs. They ate hamburgers and later the drugs were discussed. Brandl stated that Nehls brought up the drugs first, but that she didn t have any money to pay for them but TLJ indicated that was okay and he would front the drugs for payment later. Brandl stated that he then brought up the drugs and TLJ stated that he would help them out. Brandl stated that the day before the BBQ, Nehls had talked to TLJ about getting some heroin and TLJ indicated he could. Brandl stated that when TLJ brought out the heroin to give them their (4) $20.00 packs of heroin, he noticed that the heroin was in one big chunk and that he thought it was about a gram of heroin. Brandl described the heroin as being grey and yellow color that was mashed together. Brandl told me that it looked strange and it could have been mixed with something else, but he wasn t sure. Brandl told me that again he argued with Nehls about shooting the heroin, but that Jannke and Nehls were very persistent, so he gave in and agreed to help Nehls. Brandl stated that Jannke had already gone to Nehls car and did his heroin and that he had gone to Nehls car and done a 20 of heroin and it was now Nehls turn so (he and Nehls) went to Nehls car which was parked in the parking lot of the Clyman Park. Brandl stated that he had already prepared a hit in a needle as an excuse not to let Nehls use the only needle he has. Brandl told me that the heroin he had gotten from TLJ did not need to be heated. Brandl explained how he would prepare a needle to inject it. Brandl seemed very ashamed that he shared a needle with Nehls. Brandl went on to explain that the heroin was a powder that he mixed with water in a spoon and it all dissolves together. He then explained that he filters the heroin and water mixture through some cotton, sucking it into the syringe and then it is ready to use. I then verified that Nehls was in the passenger seat and he was in the driver s seat of Nehls car. I then assumed that he would have used Nehls left arm because of how they were seated in the vehicle, but Brandl paused and thought about it for a while as he pulled up his own sleeves to his shirt, then corrected himself and stated that Nehls was in the driver s seat and he was in the passenger seat. Brandl further demonstrated that Nehls was turned in the seat and that she was facing him and he was facing her. Brandl explains that he tied her off and he demonstrates with his own extended arm simulating tying around the upper part of the arm and then he said, It took me a minute or two to find a vein, but I found one. Brandl confirmed that he used the same needle that he had used earlier and that he had used a cord that was maybe for a charging cord as a tie off. Brandl then told me that he had shorted her dose by about ½ because he was sure that Nehls didn t need a full dose. Brandl told me that he still did not realize how strong it was because after she did her dose, she got out of the car and they went to the picnic table and she is fine for the first 5 to 10 minutes after taking the hit, but then all of a sudden she is out of it. Brandl describes Nehls as breathing shallowly, but she is out of it. Brandl states that Nehls is not conscious, but that she is breathing steadily and she isn t responding to them and he describes her as snoring and it wasn t uncommon for her to snore when she was sleeping at their house. Brandl stated that Jannke knew that they were shooting heroin. Brandl stated that they stayed at the park for about 45 minutes and that during that time, they threw water in Nehls face, and he slapped her, trying to get a 06/02/2016 5

6 response and try to get her going. Brandl stated he and Jannke got her to the car and he stated that was very difficult to do because of her size and that she is fucked up, and she is like dead weight. Brandl states that they finally get her to the car and they put her into the front passenger seat and they seatbelt her in. Brandl states that TLJ is driving, Brandl is in the back seat holding her head up and rubbing her back as they are driving around. Brandl stated that they drove around for a while and that Nehls was snoring, nonresponsive, but sometimes she would mumble or make noises, but nothing they could understand. Brandl stated that they drove around a while and he recalled going to Culver s in Watertown and getting shakes. Brandl stated that TLJ was already telling Brandl that he can never mention his name, no matter what. Brandl tells me that Nehls was still alive at this time. TLJ tells Brandl that no matter what, he is not to mention his name. Brandl told me they went to Jannke s house and that he then used heroin while at TLJ s house again. Brandl clarified that TLJ had given him (2) $20.00 bags of heroin to use and then Brandl said, Because he is trying to buy my silence. Brandl indicated that TLJ gave him (2) $20.00 sacks that were fat or a little bigger than normal. Brandl stated that he waited for about 20 minutes and then he went back out to the car where Nehls was still seated in the front seat snoring. Brandl states that he starts driving and he decided to go to Walmart in Watertown because it is a public place and it is open. Brandl stated that what happened at this time was a little mottled, because he had done so much heroin. Brandl told me that he didn t know how Nehls stopped breathing or why she stopped breathing, but he noticed that she wasn t breathing. He told me that he parked and then he leaned the seat back and he started doing CPR, trying to revive Nehls. Brandl demonstrated and indicated that he was giving Nehls chest compressions and breaths, but he realizes that Nehls is not waking up and there is nothing. Brandl states that he was 99% sure she is dead and that he felt guilty because he should have brought her to the hospital sooner. Brandl stated that he was caught in the middle, trying to protect the drug dealer who is kind of a friend, and Nehls. Brandl then described how he got from TLJ s house to Walmart. Brandl stated that he drove down CW and then he took the service road right by the overpass, then he drives down Main Street, drives down Concord and then he turned right and then left and then crossed the train tracks and drove the back way past the mattress place and then he describes the area at the farthest southern part of the parking lot of Walmart as where he stops. Brandl stated that at some time during that drive, Nehls stops breathing. Brandl told me that after he realized that Nehls was dead, he did get out of the car and walk around a little. Again, Brandl stated that he thought it was about 12 midnight or 1:00 a.m. when he was at Walmart. There was some discussion about where exactly he was when he was doing CPR on Nehls, so I used Google Earth and showed him a picture of the Walmart building and he identified an area on the very far southwest part of the parking lot by the building. Brandl stated that he probably was still feeling the effects of his heroin use. Brandl stated that he sat in the car for a while and then decided to drive back to TLJ s house. Brandl stated that when he got to TLJ s, he told him that Nehls was dead. Brandl stated that TLJ told him he couldn t tell anyone about him or mention his name at all. Brandl stated that he was freaked out at this point and that he did not do anymore heroin while at TLJ s house. He then told me that he brought in Nehls phone and that TLJ took Nehls phone and he deleted all of their text messages and all of his numbers and what he thought was incriminating to him. Brandl stated that his phone is at the house on Klatt Street and that Nehls phone is in the car between the car seats. Brandl agreed that the 06/02/2016 6

7 reason TLJ wanted the phone was to delete evidence of their prior conversations and drug transactions. Brandl stated that after he had left TLJ s house the second time, he first went to Oak Hill Cemetery where he parks and thinks and walks around the vehicle, contemplating what to do. After a while he thought he had the courage to take Nehls to the hospital, so he drove there, parked in the back of the parking lot, waited a while and then decided he couldn t go in, so he left. He then drove to another cemetery on Juneau Road, identified as Moravian Cemetery, and contemplated what to do. Brandl told me that after a while he drove back to the Watertown Hospital and had the courage to go inside and tell the staff that Nehls was dead and she was in the car outside. I asked Brandl if Nehls use of heron was to keep from getting sick or if her use of heroin was for recreational. Brandl stated that he thought Nehls use was for recreational and that he did not think she ever got sick from not using. Brandl told me that if he stopped using, he would get sick. Brandl told me that he could tough it out for 4 days and that it would suck, but that he could get through it. Brandl stated that he never knew Nehls to ever shoot up or use needles to get high and that she only snorted her heroin. Brandl stated that it wasn t uncommon for he and Nehls to share/pool their resources to get heroin. He told me that sometimes Nehls would buy it and she would give him some and sometimes he would buy it and give her some. Brandl stated that he was now telling 100% of the truth. Brandl stated that he wanted to do what was right for Nehls and that he knew that heroin abuse is an epidemic and he wants to do the right thing and that is why he is now telling me the truth. Estimated Time Line: The following is a time line created, combining video stamps from Walmart, BP, Culver s and Kwik Trip as well as statements from Brandl: Approx. Time Who Where What 3:30 PM Nehls, Brandl Clyman Park BBQ 6:30 PM Nehls, TLJ, Brandl Clyman Park BBQ/Heroin 7:30 PM Nehls, TLJ, Brandl BP Boulder Rd. (2) Bottles of water 8:50 PM Nehls, TLJ, Brandl Culver s Shakes 9:50 PM Nehls, TLJ, Brandl KT W. Main St. Cigarettes 10:15 PM Nehls, TLJ, Brandl Warbler Way Heroin, TLJ s 11:55 PM Nehls, Brandl Walmart CPR 12:15 AM Nehls, TLJ, Brandl Warbler Way Nehls death Nehls, Brandl Nehls, Brandl Nehls, Brandl Oak Hill Cemetery Contemplating Watertown Hospital Contemplating Moravian Cemetery Contemplating 06/02/2016 7

8 10:25 AM Nehls, Brandl Watertown Hospital Notified Nehls Request for Charges: At this time I believe I have established probable cause to believe that Gabriel Joseph Brandl, M/W, DOB , committed the crime of concealing or hiding a corpse in violation of Wisconsin State Statute # (2); therefore, I am forwarding this case to the Dodge County District Attorney s Office for their consideration. Additional information: Your complainant knows that the Warbler Way, referenced in the preceding paragraphs is in Dodge County, Wisconsin. - Based on the foregoing, the complainant believes this complaint to be true and correct. Subscribed and Sworn to me on 06/02/16 Electronically Signed By: Kurt F. Klomberg District Attorney State Bar #: Electronically Signed By: Detective Michael T. Reissmann Complainant 06/02/2016 8