Authorities arrested a Wisconsin man, Aaron Nelson, on Friday, May 15, 2026, accusing him of killing his wife and disposing the body. He reportedly changed his Facebook status to “Widowed” and then allegedly used his dead wife’s ring to propose to his new lover, whom he met on Tinder.

Aaron Nelson, 43, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide of his wife, Alexis Nelson, 42, and hiding her body, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators have not yet found the victim’s body. In February, the Sheriff’s Office posted flyers for Alexis, stating that they, along with the Beaver Dam Police Department, was searching for her. They said that her family had not seen her since the spring of 2025.

According to the court documents obtained by Law and Crime, the defendant and his wife were last seen on CCTV footage on March 29, 2025, at a Kwik Trip convenience store in Beaver Dam, where they lived in an apartment.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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According to the outlet, investigators checked Alexis Nelson’s phone records, which revealed that her cellphone had moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. After some time, Aaron Nelson bought a 32-gallon trash can.

Just days later, by April 2, 2025, Aaron Nelson reportedly created a new account on Facebook, using a different name — “James Nelson.” He then listed his relationship status as “Widowed,” Madison CBS affiliate WISC reported.

According to investigators, during the next few weeks of investigation, they uncovered more evidence that suggested that Aaron Nelson had killed his missing wife. They also said that the defendant gave conflicting stories about what happened to his wife, Alexis Nelson. On April 30, 2025, Aaron Nelson met a new woman on Tinder. She told authorities that she and the defendant had moved in together by the end of May 2025.

While speaking with Aaron’s new girlfriend, the police noticed that she was wearing an engagement ring. They later found out that it belonged to the victim, WISC reported.

In June, investigators searched Aaron’s new fiancée’s house, where they uncovered the 32-gallon trash can. Cops said that the trash can tested positive for the victim’s blood and that a cadaver dog smelled the scent of decaying human remains on the property.

One of the neighbors in Beaver Dam told Fox affiliate WITI that she only saw Alexis when she was with her accused husband. She also recalled hearing them fighting in their apartment.

“I still, I wish he would just tell ’em where her body is,” Carrie Peaine told the media outlet. “What he did with her, at least, you know. The family needs it.”

Alexis Nelson’s remains have not yet been found. Meanwhile, Aaron Nelson was booked in Dodge County jail after his arrest on Friday. Court records reveal that he has been ordered held on $1 million cash bail with a no-contact order for all witnesses.

The defendant appeared in court on Monday, May 18. He is scheduled for a review hearing and a preliminary hearing the week of May 25, 2026.