MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Raymand Vannieuwenhoven, 84, was sentenced Thursday to back-to-back life sentences for the 1976 murders of a couple.
A jury previously convicted Vannieuwenhoven of two counts of murder for the deaths of Ellen Matheys and David Schuldes at McClintock County Park.
Before the sentence was issued, several victims’ family members commented, asking for life sentences. Vannieuwenhoven’s daughter testified, saying she believes the only thing which was proved was that her father had an affair.
A defiant Vannieuwenhoven addressed the court, offered a some-times rambling statement, which included criticisms of the prosecutor.
Judge James Morrison ruled Vannieuwenhoven said due to the “depraved” and “unspeakable” nature of the crimes, the back-to-back sentences were appropriate.
The murders of Schuldes and Matheys were unsolved for more than four decades. In 2019, a DNA sample from evidence at the crime scene was determined to be from a particular family. After samples tested from Vannieuwenhoven’s brothers weren’t a match, a sample from him — obtained from a licked envelope for a survey on police performance filled out by Raymand — was a match, according to the complaint.
Vannieuwenhoven also allegedly sexually assaulted Matheys. DNA from evidence from the assault was eventually used to tie him to the crime scene. However, the sexual assault charge was dismissed because the statute of limitations has expired. There is no statute of limitation on homicide charge.
An appeal is likely in the case. Before the trial, the defense attempted to have evidence introduced allowing it point the finger at two other possible suspects in the case. Those motions were denied but could be renewed on appeal.
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