Wisconsin man convicted of killing and dismembering his parents after reporting them missing

MADISON, Wis. (TCD) -- A jury found 23-year-old Chandler Halderson guilty Thursday of murdering and dismembering his parents in July.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports the jury came to the decision to convict Halderson after just two hours of deliberation. He was found guilty of two counts each of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, hiding a corpse, and falsifying information about a missing person.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office announced July 7 that Bart Halderson, 50, and his wife Krista Halderson, 53, were reported missing and were last seen July 1 at their home in the village of Windsor. Deputies arrested Chandler Halderson July 9 for providing false information, and he was later charged with the crimes he was recently convicted of.

Chandler reported his parents missing July 7 and told deputies Bart and Krista went out of town to a cabin in White Lake, Wis., for the July 4 holiday. Investigators went to the property and did not find anyone there. They did, however, locate human remains at a property in Dane County. The remains were later identified as Bart Halderson. On July 30, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed remains found in Roxbury were those of Krista Halderson.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, investigators discovered bone fragments in the fireplace at the Halderson residence and cutting tools with Bart and Krista’s DNA on them. Bart’s torso was found with a gunshot wound, but only Krista’s legs were found. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly could not determine an exact cause of death for Krista.

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett wrote in a statement Thursday, "First, we want to extend our sympathies to the family of Bart and Krista Halderson. Throughout this investigation and trial, they have been in the forefront of our thoughts. This is one of the most extensive investigations the Dane County Sheriff’s Office has faced. Our detectives, deputies and civilian staff worked tirelessly to determine what really happened to Bart and Krista. I could not be more proud of their work."

Chandler Halderson will be sentenced in March.

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