Illinois authorities have finally revealed what killed the newlywed couple found dead in their car—days before they were supposed to celebrate their anniversary.
It all began on October 6, when a Harvard, Illinois, officer noticed a car sitting still on the roadside—its hazard lights blinking in the dark.
The officer looked inside—and what he saw was chilling. Both people inside were dead.
Authorities later identified the victims as Rachel Dumovich, 29, and her husband, Brandon Dumovich, 30, from Sharon, Wisconsin, the McHenry County Coroner’s Office told Fox News Digital.
According to the coroner’s office, early findings paint a grim picture—both Rachel and Brandon died from gunshot wounds to the head, the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman said the investigation is still underway and acknowledged that while a murder-suicide is one possible explanation, investigators haven’t reached any final conclusions.
Rachel and Brandon Dumovich—a young couple from Sharon, Wisconsin—were found dead inside their car in Illinois, turning what should’ve been a time of love into tragedy. Rachel Dumovich / Facebook
Investigators say both Rachel and Brandon died from gunshot wounds to the head—a grim discovery that deepened the tragedy. .Rachel Dumovich / Facebook
The coroner’s office has not yet released the complete autopsy results, leaving questions about the deaths unanswered.
Authorities said both victims had gunshot wounds, and a gun was discovered inside the car. The McHenry County Major Investigative Assistance Team has been called in to investigate.
After the couple was found dead, police told local residents to shelter in place—but authorities later confirmed that the community was not at risk.
On a wedding page Rachel created on The Knot, she described the couple as “middle school sweethearts,” highlighting a love that began early and lasted a lifetime.
Rachel shared that she first met Brandon in middle school when she was just 12, famously catching his eye by “stealing cologne from his locker and running away with it.”
Rachel shared that they had stayed connected “through many life stages and 15 years of friendship,” finally beginning their romantic relationship in 2022.
Brandon popped the question in the summer of 2023 at Big Cedar Lake near Slinger, Wisconsin, a place that would later host their wedding on October 12, 2024.
Tragically, the couple passed away before they could celebrate their wedding anniversary. Brandon Dumovich / Facebook
Rachel announced the wedding, writing, “We can’t wait to share the next chapter of our love story surrounded by our friends and family!”
Just hours before she died, Rachel shared a poignant Facebook post: “Forever chasing sunsets. Wishing we were back in Greece.” The message appeared to reflect on the couple’s honeymoon memories.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Harvard Police Department at (815) 943-4431 or provide tips anonymously through the Crime Stoppers hotline at (815) 943-4343 or via email at [email protected]
