Investigation Closes on Dubuque County Homicide

The investigation has closed on a homicide that happened this spring in Dubuque County. 

The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office says on the evening of April 10th, deputies and an Iowa State Medical Examiner investigator responded to 9866 Haxbylane Road for a report of a possible homicide. Upon arriving, they found 32-year old Tana Poppe dead of an apparent gunshot wound. Poppe had two minor children, ages 13 years old and 5 months old, staying with her at the home. Neither child was there when law enforcement arrived.

A short time later, it was learned a person of interest in this case, 37-year old Alexander Grunke, was involved in a vehicle pursuit in Dane County, Wisconsin. Just prior to the pursuit, the missing 5-month old child was turned over to an acquaintance of Grunke’s. During the pursuit, Grunke’s car was disabled and the two occupants fled the area. The missing 13-year old daughter was determined to be one of the occupants who fled – she was later found dead of unknown causes. 

Grunke broke into a nearby residence, where a standoff ensued with deputies from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The standoff ended when Grunke took his own life.

Following the months-long investigation, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office received information from the State Medical Examiner’s Office that the firearm used in Grunke’s suicide was the same firearm used in Poppe’s homicide. It was also confirmed there is no further danger to the public. 

With these findings, and with the death of the only known offender in the case, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that this case will no longer be actively investigated and is being closed.