A picture of a man, taken by Sandra Teichow of Lake Geneva just before her death, lead Racine police to the 65 year old man now charged with her murder. Wilbert Thomas was formally charged Monday with first degree intentional homicide and theft. His bond was set at $250,000 although his attorney said he was unable to post any amount. Thomas will return to court October 27th for a preliminary hearing.
According to the criminal complaint, Teichow stopped at a hair salon in Racine last Thursday, and told the stylist she was going to get 100-dollars in quarters and hand them out at a laundromat “just to be nice.” Her body was found later in the day in wooded area near 6th Street and Mound Avenue. Police found several quarters under her body, and later found a jar of quarters in the suspect’s home.
Investigators also found a camera near her body, with a picture of a man walking away from her, that man recognized by one of the detectives on the case. Teichow died of strangulation, and also suffered blunt force trauma to her head and upper body along with defensive injuries to her arms and hands. Thomas faces life in prison if convicted of the homicide charge.
Janet Hoff, WRJN
