Park Falls man charged with killing ex-girlfriend, heads to trial

PARK FALLS, Wis. (WSAW) – A 50-year-old Park Falls man has been charged with shooting and killing his on-and-off girlfriend and will stand trial.

Christopher Dyer waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday in Price County Circuit Court. A judge ruled there was enough evidence for the case to move forward.

Dyer also requested a change of venue on Thursday. A decision on the matter is likely to be made in November.

Dyer was arrested April 13 after investigators said he was suspected in a homicide case. Dyer was booked into the Price County Jail and remains there on a $1 million cash bond. He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

An investigation began on April 13 after a neighbor called 911 to report gunshots in the 600 block of 2nd Avenue North in Park Falls. The person went outside and saw a woman lying in the grass. The man told police the woman appeared to be breathing. That’s when he said Dyer came out of the house, stood over the woman and fired the gun.

The man said he went inside and armed himself for personal protection and then called 911.

When authorities arrived, Dyer was not at the scene. The witness said he did not see Dyer leave the house, but said his car was in the driveway.

That afternoon, Dyer’s vehicle was detected by Minocqua’s license plate surveillance cameras. He was located and arrested. During his arrest, the officer noticed what appeared to be blood on Dyer’s clothing.

Court documents, based on statements from people who knew the victim or witnessed the incident, indicated the victim and Dyer had been in a relationship for 6 years. They were not currently in a relationship, but were living together. Court records show the victim was served with a restraining order last July, but requested it be dismissed on April 1.

An autopsy report showed the woman was shot four times before she died.

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.