Heyer charged in death of ex-girlfriend

MARINETTE COUNTY - The man accused of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend in Wausaukee has now been charged.

Richard Heyer was charged Tuesday with murder in the death of Ann Schueller.

The coroner says Schueller was shot once in the back Sunday while she was working at a gas station.

The sheriff says Heyer allegedly used a rifle to shoot her and himself.

He'll make a court appearance after he's released from the hospital.

Schueller's friends say the legal system didn't do enough to protect her from abuse.

“She didn't deserve all this. If there were different laws or something that would help women,” said Karen Bianchetti.

Bianchetti says she and her former roommate Ann Schueller bonded over a shared situation.
She says they both faced domestic abuse.

Now Bianchetti and Schueller's other friends say they don't know why Rick Heyer couldn't be stopped by the courts before he allegedly killed Schueller on Sunday.

“It was terrible. She didn't understand why they wouldn't help her,” said Bianchetti.

The court records show Court Commissioner Francis Boyle denied the request for a restraining order in June. This document says the burden of proof was not met.

Friends say Schueller's concerns were legitimate.

"She begged the court systems. You got the handwritten letter,” said Harry Meetz.

Friends say Schueller had listed the wrong date of possible abuse on her request.

“Because she screwed up on one date you know he just thought she was a joke, you know. And now well the joke's on him,” said Meetz.

FOX 11 called Boyle's office to find out more about the denial of the restraining order. His secretary said he wouldn't comment.

In Tuesday's press conference, Marinette County Sheriff Jerry Sauve says his deputies were never called for domestic disputes with the couple.

Deputies assisted Schueller in getting her property back in June and August. They also helped with text messages she received from Heyer.

“And I'll note that none of those were threatening. They were more unwanted contacts,” said Sauve.

District Attorney Allen Brey said the court commissioner's decision on the restraining order was out of his control.

“None of the three of us are involved in that matter. There's a court file that's available for you to look at,” said Brey.

Schueller's friends say they worried about her safety. But, they say she wanted to live her life without fear of Rick Heyer.

"Ann was going to fight to the end. And she did. But we all need to talk up for her because this ain't right,” said Bianchetti.

A visitation and memorial service for Schueller will be next Tuesday afternoon and evening at Messar Funeral Home in Wausaukee.