The quiet countryside of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, became a scene of chaos and terror on June 16th, 2020. A frantic 911 call from Nedra Lemke reporting a break-in at her father’s farmhouse quickly escalated into a harrowing shootout and a raging inferno, leaving two people dead and a community in shock. The prime suspect, Kevin Anderson, remains at large, sought by authorities for double homicide, arson, and other charges. This is the story of a family feud turned deadly, a desperate manhunt, and the lingering fear that justice may never be fully served.
Aerial view of a farmhouse engulfed in flames, with emergency vehicles surrounding it.
The incident began when Nedra Lemke, sensing something amiss at her father’s property, called 911 to report signs of a possible break-in. Windows were broken, the house appeared disturbed, and a sense of unease hung heavy in the air. Urging caution, the dispatcher advised against approaching the house, fearing the intruder might still be inside.
Unbeknownst to them, tragedy had already struck. By the time sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene, Nedra and her husband, Jim Lemke, had been shot. The horrifying scene was captured on a deputy’s body camera as he approached the farmhouse. Almost immediately, a barrage of gunfire erupted from an upper window, forcing the deputy to scramble for cover.
A still image from body camera footage showing a law enforcement officer taking cover behind a vehicle, with a farmhouse in the background.
A tense shootout ensued, the deafening exchange of gunfire echoing through the rural landscape. The lone deputy, pinned down by the relentless barrage, desperately radioed for backup, his voice laced with urgency. As backup arrived, a grim discovery awaited them. The bodies of Nedra and Jim Lemke were found near their vehicle, victims of the deadly ambush.
Adding to the chaos, the farmhouse erupted in flames. Drone footage captured the horrifying scene as a massive blaze consumed the structure, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Investigators quickly determined the fire was no accident, suspecting it was intentionally set to cover the killer’s tracks.
A law enforcement officer crouching in a field, holding a firearm and communicating through a radio.
The finger of suspicion quickly pointed to Kevin Anderson, Nedra Lemke’s own brother. A history of family strife over their father’s estate had reached a boiling point in the days leading up to the murders. Authorities believe the dispute over inheritance ignited Anderson’s deadly rage, culminating in the tragic events of that day.
Despite a massive manhunt involving ground searches, canine units, and aerial drones, Anderson vanished without a trace. The charred remains of the farmhouse yielded no clues to his fate, leaving investigators to grapple with the possibility that he had escaped the inferno.
More than three years have passed since that fateful day, and Kevin Anderson remains a fugitive from justice. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Department of Justice, continue to pursue leads, determined to bring him to justice. He faces a slew of charges, including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, attempted homicide, arson, and firearm possession by a felon.
The search for Kevin Anderson serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly peaceful communities. His continued evasion of justice only deepens the anguish for the families torn apart by his alleged crimes. As the years turn into decades, the hope for closure remains, a flickering ember refusing to be extinguished by the passage of time.
