Wisconsin Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Execution-Style Killing of Ohio Man in 2024
XENIA, OHIO — A Wisconsin woman has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading no contest to the 2024 murder of an Ohio man, ending a multistate investigation that began when the victim’s family discovered him dead inside his Beavercreek home.
According to Greene County Prosecutor David Hayes, 53-year-old Janel Nelson, of Thorp, Wisconsin, was convicted in the killing of 55-year-old Michael Corrigan, her on-and-off boyfriend of 15 years. She will be eligible for parole after 18 years.
Family Found Victim Shot in the Head
Police were called to Corrigan’s home on August 22, 2024, after relatives reported being unable to reach him by phone. Upon arrival, officers discovered Corrigan dead with a gunshot wound to the back of the head, and a spent shell casing in another room.
Investigators determined the fatal shot came from a .380-caliber handgun fired from several feet away while Corrigan sat inside his home.
“This was an execution-style shooting carried out by someone the victim knew and trusted,” Prosecutor Hayes said.
Suspect Fled to Nebraska Before Arrest
Detective John Bondy of the Beavercreek Police Department led the investigation, which quickly focused on Nelson. She had fled Ohio shortly after the killing, prompting a multi-state search.
Through the use of social media tracking and license plate reader technology, investigators located Nelson in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was found staying at a local church.
During questioning, Nelson admitted key details about the night of Corrigan’s death, including that she had been with him shortly before the shooting. A search warrant later uncovered the murder weapon inside her vehicle, confirming her link to the crime.
She was then arrested in Omaha and extradited to Ohio to face charges.
Life Sentence After No Contest Plea
In court, Nelson entered a plea of no contest, acknowledging the facts presented by prosecutors while declining to admit guilt outright. The judge accepted the plea and imposed a life sentence with parole eligibility after 18 years.
Authorities say the case highlights how cross-state collaboration and digital investigation tools — including Flock cameras and social media analysis — played a critical role in locating and capturing Nelson.
As Nelson begins serving her life sentence, Greene County officials commended investigators for their work in bringing closure to Corrigan’s family after more than a year of legal proceedings. For continued updates on Midwest crime and justice news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.