Waukesha man held on $3 million bail in triple homicide case

May 03, 2013

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Jaren M. Kuester

By Ashley Luthern of the Journal Sentinel

The three victims of a triple homicide in rural Lafayette County are being buried Saturday as their suspected killer remains in jail on $3 million bail.

Private funeral arrangements are set for 11 a.m. at Wiota Lutheran Church for Gary Thoreson, 70; his wife, Chloe Thoreson, 66; and his brother Dean, 76. A memorial fund has been established in Gary and Chloe's name, and donations to the Lafayette County K-9 Unit can be made in honor of Dean.

Jaren M. Kuester, 31, of Waukesha is incarcerated in the Lafayette County Jail in connection with the Sunday slayings.

Kuester was arrested Sunday afternoon in Waukesha and turned over to Lafayette County authorities early Monday. Judge William D. Johnston made a finding of probable cause that Kuester committed a crime warranting detention pending the filing of charges, Lafayette Sheriff Scott Pedley said. The finding was critical, because under state law, a person arrested must be charged or have a judicial finding of probable cause made within 48 hours of arrest to justify continued detention. The judge has sealed the probable cause determination and search warrants related to the case.

Pedley said a criminal complaint will be filed when all the necessary information is obtained. Kuester is due back in court for an initial appearance at 1 p.m. Friday.

It won't be his first time in front of a judge.

In November 2000, Kuester, then 18, fought with his father at their Waukesha home. The father and son began arguing over Kuester's fighting with his brother. Kuester picked up his father and threw him into a coffee table, breaking it, according to court records.

Kuester held his father down, broke his glasses and threw a large bottle of Gatorade in his face. During a police interview, Kuester had to be told three times to stop yelling. He was given 18 months' probation and ordered to undergo psychological testing, anger management and substance abuse counseling.

One year later, Kuester used a club to beat a teenage boy who had punched Kuester's brother in a schoolyard fight. In court records, the boy admitted he hit Kuester's brother and says he was approached later that day by four men, including Kuester and his brother.

The boy said Kuester's blow caused a gash on his head and a loss of consciousness, and he was kicked and punched when he was crumpled on the ground.

Kuester's charges were amended from felonies to misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim, complete anger management and take all prescribed medications.