A Wisconsin man allegedly killed his wife, changed his Facebook status to 'widowed,' and gave the slain woman's wedding ring to his new fiancée, according to authorities.
Charges Filed
Aaron Nelson, 43, was arrested Friday and charged with first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse in connection with the disappearance of his wife, 42-year-old Alexis Nelson, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office said. The couple lived together in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and were last seen together on surveillance footage at a Kwik Trip convenience store on March 29, 2025. Family members reported Alexis missing after not hearing from her since May 2025.
New Relationship
Prosecutors say Nelson met a woman on Tinder on April 30, 2025, and by the end of May they were dating and had moved in together. Meanwhile, Alexis remains missing. Her body has not been found, but investigators say evidence collected over the past year points to a violent death and an alleged effort to conceal it, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Law & Crime.
Cellphone and Trash Can Evidence
Cellphone data showed Alexis's phone traveled to Sun Prairie shortly after she was last seen with Nelson on March 29, 2025. Prosecutors allege Nelson purchased a 32-gallon trash can the following day, which investigators later recovered at the home of his new fiancée when they searched her property in June.
On April 2, 2025, Nelson created a new Facebook account under the name 'James Nelson.' When investigators viewed this page in November, his relationship status had been changed to 'widowed,' according to WISC. Investigators later discovered that the new fiancée's engagement ring had previously been Alexis Nelson's wedding ring.
Cadaver Dog Alert
When the fiancée's property was searched in June, a cadaver dog alerted near a shed where the trash can had been stored, indicating the possible scent of decomposing human remains. Searches of the couple's former apartment and a storage unit uncovered evidence tied to Alexis, including blood matching her DNA and signs of human decomposition.
Neighbor's Account
Neighbor Carrie Peaine told WITI that she often heard arguing from the couple's apartment and rarely saw Alexis without Aaron. 'I still, I wish he would just tell 'em where her body is,' Peaine said. 'What he did with her at least, you know. The family needs it.'
Court Appearance
Nelson appeared in Dodge County court on Monday, where a judge set his bond at $1 million cash. He remains in the Dodge County Jail and is scheduled to return to court on May 28.
