Tragedy strikes as newlyweds are found dea.d in their car days ahead of their first anniversary

A newly married couple from Wisconsin were discovered dead inside a vehicle in northern Illinois on October 6, only days before marking their first wedding anniversary. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Rachel and Brandon Dumovich shared a long history that began in middle school. Rachel once joked that she first caught Brandon’s attention by stealing cologne from his locker and running off with it.

Although they remained friends for many years, the two reconnected romantically in 2022. Brandon proposed the following summer at Big Cedar Lake in Slinger, Wisconsin, a location meaningful to Rachel’s family, and they married on October 12, 2024.

Loved ones described the couple as deeply connected, enjoying travel, outdoor activities, and quiet time at home with their dogs, Dash and Cedar. Friends said they were rarely seen apart.

Shortly before midnight on October 6, a police officer in Harvard, Illinois, noticed a car stopped with its hazard lights on. Inside, officers found the couple deceased. Police briefly advised residents to shelter in place before confirming there was no public danger.

Both Rachel, 29, and Brandon, 30, had suffered a single gunshot wound, and a firearm was recovered at the scene. While investigators have not ruled out a murder-suicide, no final conclusion has been reached. Autopsies and toxicology tests are underway.

Rachel was remembered for her compassion, humor, and strong sense of justice, while Brandon was honored for his service as a U.S. Navy petty officer and his love of outdoor hobbies. Their sudden loss has left family and friends heartbroken.