Chad Doerman, aged 33, tragically killed his three young sons, Clayton (7), Hunter (4), and Chase (3), in a horrifying incident at their family residence. Details of the 2023 tragedy were disclosed by Prosecuting Attorney Mark Tekulve following the sentencing, shedding light on the day Doerman made the chilling decision to end his children’s lives.
On that harrowing day, Doerman had lunch with his wife, Laura, and made a cryptic statement, saying it would be his final good meal. Despite Laura’s concerns, Doerman proceeded to engage in household chores and spent time playing with the children in the afternoon.
Around 3:30 to 3:45 pm, Doerman was seen reading the Bible to his 4-year-old son, Hunter, while repeating phrases indicating he believed he was doing the right thing. Shortly before 4 pm, he gathered his family in the master bedroom, where an alarming situation unfolded as he accessed the gun safe, causing distress to his wife.
Expressing love for his family, Doerman grabbed a .22 rifle from the safe, initially causing fear that he might harm himself. Despite pleas from his family to stop, he tragically shot Hunter multiple times, leading to a series of devastating events that unfolded in front of horrified witnesses.
Following the initial shooting, Doerman proceeded to chase his wife and stepdaughter out of the house before fatally shooting his other two sons, Clayton and Chase. While the 12-year-old stepdaughter managed to escape unharmed, Laura sustained a gunshot wound while trying to protect her sons.
Doerman was promptly arrested and faced charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping, and felonious assault. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, with his defense arguing that his serious mental illness at the time of the crime should exempt him from the death penalty.
Ultimately, a plea deal was reached between prosecutors and Doerman, resulting in three life sentences instead of the death penalty. This decision was made in consideration of the survivors’ well-being, with prosecutors deeming further actions as unnecessary cruelty.
Laura expressed her devastation over the loss of her sons but found solace in the fact that Doerman would spend the rest of his life in prison. In a statement, she acknowledged the resolution of the criminal case and emphasized the importance of remembering her boys for the joy and love they brought into the world through activities like fishing, go-karting, and swimming.
The heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of untreated mental illness and the lasting impact it can have on families and communities.