Brandon and Rachel Noel Dumovich Murder-Suicide: Newlywed Couple Found Dead in Harvard, Illinois — What Investigators Have Confirmed
Authorities have officially ruled the tragic October 6, 2025 deaths of Rachel Noel Dumovich (29) and Brandon Dumovich (30) as a murder-suicide, concluding a six-week investigation that drew widespread attention across Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
Official Ruling: Murder-Suicide Determined by Investigators
On November 13, 2025, Harvard Police, working alongside the McHenry County Major Investigative Assistance Team (MIAT) and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, confirmed that Brandon Dumovich fatally shot his wife Rachel before taking his own life. Autopsies performed on October 7–8 verified that both victims died of single gunshot wounds to the head. A firearm recovered inside the vehicle matched both injuries.
Investigators emphasized that the incident was isolated, involved no third-party suspect, and poses no ongoing threat to the public.
How the Couple Was Found
Just before midnight at 11:52 p.m. on October 6, a Harvard police officer noticed a vehicle stopped in the northbound lane of Route 14 (North Division Street) with its hazard lights flashing. Inside the parked car:
- Rachel Dumovich was found in the driver’s seat
- Brandon Dumovich was in the passenger seat
- Both were unresponsive and later declared deceased
The discovery occurred near Burbank Street, roughly 60 miles northwest of Chicago.
The Couple’s Background: A Long Friendship Turned Tragic
Rachel (née Reimann) and Brandon were longtime acquaintances who met as middle-school students at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. After nearly 15 years as friends, they began dating in 2022.
The pair married on October 12, 2024, and were just days away from celebrating their first anniversary. Recently, they had taken a honeymoon trip to Greece. Just hours before her death, Rachel posted a sunset photo from the trip on Facebook with the caption:
“Forever chasing sunsets. Wishing we were back in Greece!”
Who They Were
Rachel Dumovich
- Age 29
- Crystal Lake South High School Class of 2014
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee graduate (2018)
- Human resources manager
- Remembered as empathetic, vibrant, and passionate about travel, fashion, and social justice
Brandon Dumovich
- Age 30
- U.S. Navy veteran (Petty Officer)
- Crystal Lake Central High School alumnus
- Described as kind, caring, and deeply devoted
Family members, friends, and former classmates described the couple’s death as an “unimaginable loss.”
Investigation Status
While the manner of death is settled, investigators continue analyzing:
- Digital devices
- Social media activity
- Witness statements
- Forensic reports
No motive has been released publicly as of mid-November 2025.
Community Impact
The case has shaken residents across Harvard, Crystal Lake, Barrington, and Sharon, Wisconsin, due to the couple’s young age, their recent marriage, and the sudden, violent nature of the event.
A memorial for Rachel was held on October 17, 2025 in Algonquin, Illinois.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2024 | Rachel and Brandon marry |
| Oct 6, 2025 (evening) | Rachel shares Greece honeymoon photo on Facebook |
| Oct 6, 2025 – 11:52 p.m. | Harvard officer finds vehicle on Route 14; couple discovered deceased |
| Oct 7–8, 2025 | Autopsies confirm gunshot wounds |
| Oct 17, 2025 | Memorial service for Rachel |
| Nov 13, 2025 | Police announce official murder-suicide ruling |
Information Requested
Harvard Police ask anyone with additional information to contact:
- Harvard Police Department: (815) 943-4431
- McHenry County Crimestoppers: anonymous tips accepted