LITTLE CHUTE, Wis. — A domestic dispute escalated into a violent confrontation as an Appleton man choked his girlfriend in her home late Sunday, leading to serious criminal charges. Police reported that Rudolf Knapp, 59, is now facing multiple charges, including attempted first-degree intentional homicide and strangulation, following the incident that prompted a distress call from the woman’s son.
The ordeal began around 11:45 p.m. when the son called police, stating his mother was screaming for help and being choked by an unknown man. Officers responded to the residence on Vandenbroek Road, but by the time they arrived, Knapp had fled the scene. The woman, visibly shaken and injured, was still inside the home. Initial assessments revealed bruising on her neck and blood around her mouth.
According to the police report, the couple had been sharing gelato when an argument erupted. The woman later recounted to law enforcement that she lost consciousness during the attack, fearing for her life as Knapp allegedly held her by the throat. Her son corroborated the story, saying he witnessed Knapp on top of his mother before shouting at him to leave.
The situation quickly transitioned from a domestic argument to a potential homicide investigation after police interviewed the woman, her son, and Knapp, who returned to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office later that night. During this visit, Knapp made claims that he had been drugged and attacked, insisting he acted in self-defense. His statements to officers, however, appeared inconsistent with the physical evidence and the victim’s account.
Officers noted that the woman had wanted Knapp arrested to ensure her safety, and she ultimately sought medical attention after initially declining it in front of her son. Investigators discovered a series of ominous messages Knapp sent after the incident. In troubling texts, he referred to himself as “evil and sick” and expressed troubling thoughts about taking his own life, raising further concerns about his mental state.
As the investigation unfolded, police continued to treat the case as an attempted homicide due to the severity of the injuries and the woman’s report of losing consciousness during the altercation. Knapp’s conflicting narratives, along with his emotional admissions during questioning, underscored the complexities surrounding the incident.
Knapp faced his first court appearance on April 7, where the judge set bail at $500,000. The charges against him are felonies and will require the prosecution to present sufficient evidence for the case to proceed through the court system. Attempted first-degree intentional homicide is the most serious count among the allegations against him.
In a statement, Lt. Mark Wery of the Fox Valley Metro Police Department emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence cases, highlighting the physical and emotional toll on victims. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to thorough investigations in order to hold offenders accountable and to ensure the safety of individuals at risk.
As the case progresses, concern for the victim’s safety remains paramount. Authorities have withheld her identity to protect her privacy, underscoring the sensitivity of the situation and the impacts on families involved in domestic disputes. The next steps in the judicial process are pending as the court schedules further proceedings.