Janesville Police have confirmed the apparent suicide of the mother of the individual responsible for the school shooting at Madison.
Tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School: Father of Shooter Faces Trial
Our website is making an exception to report on a tragic event that occurred at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 16, 2024. Fifteen-year-old Natalie Rupnow, a student at the school, carried out a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to six others before taking her own life.
Natalie was the daughter of Jeffrey and Mellissa Rupnow, who divorced in 2020. The family issues that arose from the divorce were noted as significant in the context of the shooting.
Jeffrey Rupnow, Natalie’s father, is facing criminal charges. He is accused of purchasing the handguns that Natalie used in the attack and is charged with two counts of providing a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 resulting in death, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Investigators recovered two guns at the crime scene, which Natalie brought to school on the day of the shooting.
According to court proceedings, Natalie had been struggling to cope with her parents' divorce, and her father bought the guns as a way to bond with her. However, it is alleged that he did not know Natalie would use the weapons to commit violence.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Natalie's emotional turmoil was revealed through a six-page document titled “War Against Humanity.” In the document, she expressed deep psychological distress and hatred toward humanity, including her father and her mother, who was "not in her life."
Tragically, Mellissa Rupnow, Natalie’s mother, died by apparent suicide in August 2025, months after the shooting incident. Her death was discovered in Janesville, Wisconsin.
As the case against Jeffrey Rupnow unfolds, it is important to remember the impact that family issues and mental health struggles can have on individuals, particularly young people. If you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues, please consider calling or texting the 988 Lifeline for support.
We will continue to provide updates on this case as more information becomes available. For weather updates, download our website15 First Alert weather app.
[1] Wisconsin court records confirm divorce filing [2] Natalie Rupnow's emotional struggles revealed [3] Two guns recovered from ALCS shooting scene [4] Mellissa Rupnow dies by apparent suicide
- The tragic event at Abundant Life Christian School was a reminder of the profound impact family health issues, such as divorce, can have on a child's mental health and general wellbeing.
- The court proceedings in the aftermath of the shooting revealed a six-page document titled “War Against Humanity” written by Natalie Rupnow, indicating her deep mental health struggles and anger towards her parents.
- Investigations conducted at the ALCS shooting scene led to the recovery of two guns, both purchased by Natalie’s father, Jeffrey Rupnow.
- In a heartbreaking turn of events, Mellissa Rupnow, Natalie’s mother, died by apparent suicide months after the shooting incident. Her death was discovered in Janesville, Wisconsin.
