TAYLOR COUNTY, WI — A tragic series of events has rocked the rural Town of Pershing, where authorities say a 15-year-old boy is believed to have killed two residents before taking his own life.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 44-year-old Josh Mann and 43-year-old Rebecca Mann were found dead in their home on Wednesday, April 9, in what investigators have ruled a double homicide. The residence, located on the 14000 block of County Road M—northwest of Gilman—became the scene of an intensive investigation after deputies responded to a distress call reporting two individuals with severe injuries.
When deputies arrived, both Josh and Rebecca Mann were pronounced dead at the scene.
In a press release issued Saturday, April 12, Sheriff Corey Dassow publicly identified 15-year-old Kadyn Hadden as the person responsible for the killings. Hadden had been named a person of interest earlier that morning, prompting a multi-agency manhunt.
Investigators were searching for Hadden and a silver 2012 Chevrolet Impala in connection with the case. That vehicle was later located on private property in neighboring Price County around 12:40 p.m. Saturday. Tragically, Hadden was found deceased inside the car from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sheriff Dassow confirmed that Hadden acted alone in the killings. A motive for the violence has not yet been disclosed.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is receiving support in the ongoing investigation from a number of agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Department of Natural Resources, State Patrol, and multiple county and municipal law enforcement departments.
As the investigation continues, the community of Gilman and the surrounding area is grappling with the shock and grief of a devastating loss of life. Local officials have urged the public to keep the families of both the victims and the teenager in their thoughts during this extraordinarily difficult time.