THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008
Man Left Wife For Dead In Wheeling Facility
A Wisconsin man, who left his ex-wife for dead in a Wheeling storage facility, was sentenced to life in prison in federal court.
David Larsen, 44, received the life sentence for kidnapping on Thursday, Aug. 7 in Milwaukee, Wisc. He was already serving a 37-year sentence placed against him in Racine County.
"There was a trial held in the fall of 2007 in federal court," explained Wisconsin District Attorney Mike Nieskes. "It came down with a decision earlier this year." Larsen was convicted at the state level in Racine County court on Aug. 15, 2005 and received a sentence of 37 years for attempted homicide, Nieskes said.
Larsen's crime occurred on Jan. 31, 2004.
"David Larsen lived in a community called Wind Lake, Wisc.," Nieskes explained. On that Saturday morning, his ex wife, Teri Jendusa-Nicolai who lived about 3/4 mile away, arrived to pick up their children. The two were still involved in a custody dispute, Nieskes said. "When she walked in the home, she was assaulted." Larsen bound her with duct tape, placed her into a plastic garbage can, and threw snow on her. He loaded the garbage can into the back of his truck and put their children into the truck with him.
What Larsen did not know was that his wife had her cellular telephone with her, according to Nieskes.
"She was able to make two calls, one when she was still in Racine County," Nieskes said. He drove the truck up to Milwaukee where he had some rental property. His wife made another phone call in that county, and then Larsen drove down into Illinois.
"He left the children with a girlfriend in the suburbs," Nieskes said. "He left Teri contained in the garbage can outside of the airport where he worked."
Because of the calls she made in the truck, police had issued an Amber Alert for their children. After he left the storage facility ono Hintz Road near Chicago Executive Airport (then, Palwaukee Airport), he was stopped by police.
Officers located the children and discovered a business card for the storage facility in his wallet. Records at the storage company showed he had been there shortly before he was stopped and workers there heard noises coming from his storage shed. They called 911 and a rescue squad arrived and found the woman inside the garbage can.
"She had a number of injuries," Nieskes said. "She lost all of her toes from frostbite and exposure. She was in the hospital for several weeks."
According to Nieskes, Larsen told police that his ex-wife attacked him at his home and he didn't have any memory of any other events.
Nieskes believes Larsen will never leave jail.
"In Wisconsin, we have truth in sentencing," he explained. Larsen's in-custody sentence is 37 years. "He would have to serve 37 years." He was unsure if the federal life sentence allowed parole, but stated, "He's likely to die in federal custody."
Nieskes also spoke about Larsen's victim and ex-wife.
"She's very good. I've seen her a couple of times in the last month," he said. She has started working as an advocate for victims' rights, he explained. "She gives talks about abused women and how they can deal with the pressure of abuse." He added that most of her physical ailments are behind her as well.
"She's regained much of her mobility. You don't really notice that she has problems walking," Nieskes said. "Teri has come a long way."
---Craig Adams