The mother of the 15-year-old girl who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, killing two people before killing herself, has died by apparent suicide.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the Janesville Police Department confirmed Mellissa Rupnow died and it “appears a suicide.” The paper reports that the death was discovered after police were called to the 1100 block of Matheson Street in Janesville on Aug. 1. Court records list an address on that block as Rupnow’s home.
Rupnow’s daughter, Natalie Rupnow, was a student at Abundant Life when she arrived at school on Dec. 16 armed with two handguns. Authorities say the teenager opened fire in the school, killing a student and a teacher and shooting six other people before dying herself of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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After the shooting, information emerged about Natalie Rupnow’s involvement in online extremist communities.
The teen’s father, Jeffrey Rupnow, 43, of Madison, is being prosecuted for his role in allowing his daughter access to the guns used in the attack on the school. He faces two counts of intentionally giving a dangerous weapon to someone under 18 and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Jeffrey and Mellissa Rupnow filed for divorce in 2020, according to court records.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text the three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. Resources are available online here.
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