Winneconne, Wisconsin — A Wisconsin community is mourning the deaths of a father and his two young daughters after they were found inside their home just hours after a divorce hearing. As investigators continue working to determine exactly what happened, the girls’ mother says she spent years trying to convince authorities that her daughters were not safe.
The deaths have renewed discussion about custody disputes, child safety concerns, and whether warning signs were overlooked.
Father and Two Daughters Found Dead During Welfare Check
According to local authorities, officers conducted a welfare check at a home in Winneconne last Friday.
Inside, they discovered the bodies of 57-year-old Jeffrey Manke, 11-year-old Lenora Manke, and 16-year-old Jaely Manke.
Officials have not publicly released the cause or manner of death, and investigators have not confirmed whether the case is being treated as a homicide, suicide, or another type of incident.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment on that aspect of the investigation while it remains active.
Deaths Came Hours After Divorce Hearing
Court records show that Jeffrey Manke and Lindsey Lewandowski, 38, attended a divorce hearing earlier that same day.
The records state that the marriage was considered “irretrievably broken with no chance for reconciliation,” concluding a legal process that included nearly a year of custody proceedings involving the couple’s two daughters.
Although Lewandowski sought sole custody, the court ultimately determined that both parents were fit to share joint legal custody of the children.
The custody decision became a central point in the family’s ongoing legal dispute.
Mother Says She Repeatedly Raised Safety Concerns
Following the deaths, Lewandowski shared an emotional statement on Facebook, writing that her daughters had repeatedly expressed feeling unsafe while in their father’s care.
In her post, she said she had “fought so hard to try to keep them safe.”
Lewandowski also claimed that family counselors, Child Protective Services reports, and law enforcement had been involved over the past two years, but she believes her concerns were not acted upon.
She alleged that her daughters did not want to visit their father but were still required to do so under the court’s custody arrangement.
Writing about her frustration, she said “Nobody wanted to listen” and concluded that “the system failed my babies.” Those statements reflect her perspective and have not been independently verified by investigators or the court.
Court Documents Revealed Previous Restrictions
Court records also indicate that a restraining order had been filed against Manke earlier this year. According to those documents, he reportedly had access to firearms.
The records further stated that he was prohibited from consuming alcohol or drugs while the children were in his care. Despite those restrictions, court filings noted that both parents were considered fit and proper persons to share legal custody.
Officials have not said whether any of those earlier court records are connected to the deaths now under investigation.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Authorities have not released additional details about what investigators found inside the home or whether any evidence points to a specific sequence of events.
Autopsies and the ongoing investigation are expected to determine the official causes and manners of death. Until investigators release their findings, many questions surrounding the tragedy remain unanswered.
The case has drawn significant attention as loved ones, community members, and officials await more information about what led to the deaths of a father and his two daughters.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case?
Do you think family courts should take additional steps when concerns about a child’s safety are raised during custody disputes? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
