January 8, 2025
The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office has received a total of 172 tips regarding the whereabouts of 47-year-old Virgil Thew. Each tip is being thoroughly addressed by the appropriate agencies within their respective jurisdictions.
Authorities first began searching for a missing juvenile on Sunday, Dec. 29, and then a second juvenile. On Monday, Dec. 30 their investigation led them to a New Lisbon home where the two juveniles and one adult were found dead. No details on how they died were released or how Thew was connected to them.
The adult deceased female has been identified as 33-year-old Elizabeth Kolba. The two juvenile female names are being withheld: however, their ages were 12 and 13.
Authorities say they continue their efforts to locate Thew, we urge the public to report any concerns related to outbuildings, seasonal residences, hunting blinds, or other structures that may require inspection. If you have information or believe such locations should be checked, please contact the Juneau County Communication Center at 608-847-5649. We are systematically working to examine these areas as part of our investigation
Juneau County authorities say they “deeply appreciate the ongoing support and assistance from the community. Your cooperation and vigilance are crucial to this investigation.”
Thew should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, do not approach him. Instead, contact 911 immediately.
For further updates or inquiries, please contact the Juneau County Sheriffs Office at 608-847-5649 or New Lisbon Police Department at 608-562-3333.
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UPDATE: FBI and U.S. Marshals join search for New Lisbon man wanted for triple homicide, vehicle found
Jan. 6, 2025
NEW LISBON, Wis. – The New Lisbon Police Department released a statement today with more details about their search for 47-year-old Virgil Thew who is wanted for the murder of three people who were found dead inside a New Lisbon home on Dec. 30.
New Lisbon Police say the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals, along with numerous other agencies have joined the search for Thew. They also stated the last know vehicle Thew is believed to be driving was found and the last known location for Thew was near Orange Road and McEwen Road in the Lisbon Township on Jan. 1.
Authorities first began searching for a missing juvenile on Sunday, Dec. 29, and then a second juvenile. On Monday, Dec. 30 their investigation led them to a New Lisbon home where the two juveniles and one adult were found dead. No details on how they died were released or how Thew was connected to them.
The adult deceased female has been identified as 33-year-old Elizabeth Kolba. The two juvenile female names are being withheld: however, their ages were 12 and 13.
A statewide crime alert was issued for Thew on Jan. 4. Authorities say tips keep coming in about his whereabouts and they continue to ask the public to contact authorities with any information that may be related. Thew is also wanted on a probation hold along with the homicide warrant, which was issued on Friday. He is described as a white male, 5’11” tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes. He has a 1″ long scar on his forehead. Thew was last seen wearing a dark-colored coat and hat.
Anyone who sees Thew is advised not approach him and instead call New Lisbon Police at 608-562-3333 or the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office at 608-847-5649, or call 911.
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UPDATE: Authorities still searching for New Lisbon man now charged with homicide for murder of two juveniles, one adult
Jan. 4, 2025
NEW LISBON, Wis. – Authorities in Sauk County have now charged the man they are been searching in connections with the deaths of two juveniles and one adult with three counts of homicide. 47-year-old Virgil Thew of New Lisbon had previously been a person of interest in the case, but now authorities believe they have enough evidence to to charged him with three counts of first degree intentional homicide.
As we reported previously in the stories below, on Dec. 30, 2024 at approximately 4:29 p.m., two juveniles and one adult female were located deceased inside a residence in the 300 block of W. Bridge St. in the City of New Lisbon. The adult female has been identified as 33-year-old Elizabeth Kolba. The two juvenile female names are being withheld; however, their ages were 12 and 13-year-old.
Friday night law enforcement stated they are continuing to follow up on leads and tips and is still actively looking for Thew. They ask the public to contact law enforcement with any information regarding any possible sightings and or the whereabouts of Thew. Law enforcement has had two confirmed sightings of Virgil in the New Lisbon area, however after an extensive search of the area by ground and drone, law enforcement has not located Virgil. They believe that Thew may now be out of the area.
Virgil is wanted through Wisconsin Probation and Parole and is now wanted for three counts of first degree intentional homicide. He should be considered armed and dangerous and law enforcement asks if seen,do not approach him and contact 911.
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Adult victim in New Lisbon triple homicide identified, search continues for person of interest
Jan. 2, 2025
NEW LISBON, Wis. – New Lisbon police issued a statement identifying one of the victims of a homicide that were found inside a new Lisbon home on Monday, and said the manhunt for the person of interest in the case, 47-year-old Virgil Thew, is ongoing.
Authorities firs began searching for missing juvenile on Sunday and then a second juvenile. On Monday their investigation led them to a New Lisbon home where the two juveniles and one adult were found dead. No details on how they died were released or why Thew is a person on interest.
The adult deceased female has been identified as 33-year-old Elizabeth Kolba. The two juvenile
female names are being withheld: however, their ages were 12 and 13.
The New Lisbon Police Department said they, and their supporting agencies, are continuing to be diligent in the active investigation surround the death of three individuals, and the case has been deemed an active homicide investigation.
Local Law Enforcement said they are continuing to follow up on any leads and tips provided. In addition, they are actively looking for Virgil in the New Lisbon area based on tips provided. They continue to ask the public to contact law enforcement with any information regarding possible sightings or the whereabouts of Virgil Thew. Thew is wanted through Wisconsin Probation and Patrol. Police said Thew should be considered armed and dangerous, and law enforcement asks if seen, do not confront or approach him and contact 911.
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Search continues in New Lisbon triple homicide for suspect with long history of crime
Tuesday, Dec. 31
NEW LISBON, Wis. – Authorities in Juneau County say a search continues for a man they have named as a person of interest in the deaths of two juveniles and one adult, and warned that man may be armed and is considered dangerous.
The New Lisbon Police Department released a statement on Monday saying they were searching for 47-year-old Virgil Thew of New Lisbon. They then released another statement on Tuesday, Dec. 31 with more details.
According that statement the New Lisbon Police Department on Dec, 29, at approximately 10:09pm, the Juneau County Sheriffs Office was contacted by the Monroe County Sheriffs Department to assist in locating a missing juvenile from their county. The missing juvenile was picked up and last seen with Virgil Thew who was known to reside in the city of New Lisbon.
Efforts were made by the Juneau County Sheriffs Office to begin the initial investigation into the juveniles whereabouts. At approximately 7:40 a.m. on Dec. 30, the New Lisbon Police Department began to investigate as to the whereabouts of the missing juvenile. Throughout the course of the day, the New Lisbon Police Department was made aware of a second missing juvenile that was from the city of New Lisbon.
With the cooperation of the juvenile’s parents, Wisconsin Probation and Parole, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Mauston Police Department, Necedah Police Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol the investigation continued through the day.
At approximately 4:29 p.m. two juveniles and one adult were located deceased inside a residence in the 300 block of West Bridge Street the city of New Lisbon. The Wisconsin State Crime Lab, along with Juneau County Detectives, and investigative staff from the Monroe County Sheriffs Department diligently processed the residence.
Thew is described as a white male, date of birth June 22, 1977, weighing approximately 150 pounds and being 5′ I0″. He was last seen wearing a dark colored down coat, blue jeans, and a is currently wanted through Wisconsin Probation and Parol. Virgil should be considered armed and dangerous and law enforcement asks that if seen, do not confront or approach him and contact 911.
A search of court records shows Thew has been sentenced to state prison for numerous previous crimes going back to 1994. Charges include burglary, burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and habitual criminality. Thew was sentenced to eight years in state prison in 1998 for a La Crosse County case and 20 years in 1998 for a Sauk County case. He was also sentenced on 11 burglary and theft charges in Richland County in 1998. He received a five year sentence in some of those charges and three years on the others. It is not clear how many years Thew served for all of those cases combined or when he was released. It is common for sentences to be served concurrently rather than consecutively. The notice from the New Lisbon police did say he was also wanted by Probation and Parole.
A notice sent to parents said they did not believe either of the two deceased juveniles were students in their district.
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