'She's Dead': Wisconsin Man Kills Wife After She Rambled at Him for 7 Hours

The small town of New Richmond, Wisconsin, was shaken after police arrested 70-year-old Gordon Laakso for allegedly killing his wife, 68-year-old Mary Laakso. Authorities say Gordon admitted to strangling Mary after she rambled at him for serval hours and then started hitting him. Instead of seeking medical attention, he panicked and disposed of her body in a remote area. Now, he faces multiple charges, including first-degree intentional homicide.

Police Respond to Concerning Call

On March 2, 2025, the New Richmond Police Department received a call that Gordon had made troubling statements suggesting his wife had been harmed earlier that day. Officers arrived at the couple’s home on Bluff Border Road around 1:45 p.m. and found Gordon there, but Mary was missing. They were also unable to reach her by phone.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by WEAU, Gordon told police that Mary had “rambled” at him for seven straight hours before becoming aggressive and hitting him. He admitted that the situation spiraled out of control but claimed he didn’t know what else to say.

Chilling Admission and Body Discovery

When officers pressed Gordon about Mary’s whereabouts, he made an eerie remark. As reported by Law & Crime, he asked them, “Oh, you didn’t find her?” before confirming, “She’s dead.”

During a search of the home, police found a pair of gloves that appeared to have blood on them, along with multiple firearms. Gordon later told authorities that instead of taking his wife to the hospital, he panicked and dumped her body.

A little more than two hours after police arrived at the couple’s home, officers located Mary’s body on the edge of a cornfield in rural Polk County, about 30 miles north of New Richmond. A report from the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide caused by strangulation.

Facing Serious Charges

Gordon Laakso was taken into custody and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, strangulation and suffocation, and hiding a corpse. He was booked into the St. Croix County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Under Wisconsin law, first-degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony, carrying a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

The case remains under investigation by the New Richmond Police Department, with assistance from the St. Croix and Polk County Sheriff’s Departments.

References: Husband Says He Killed Wife After She ‘Rambled’ at Him for 7 Hours | Wisconsin man allegedly strangled his wife and hid her body in rural area | New details in St. Croix County homicide case | ‘Oh you didn't find her?’: Husband says he killed wife after she ‘rambled’ at him for hours, dumped remains in cornfield, cops allege