JUNEAU, Wis. — Authorities are investigating a chilling disappearance in Dodge County, where a man has been charged with the murder of his wife amid mounting evidence linking him to her vanishing. Despite extensive searches, the body of 42-year-old Alexis Nelson has not been recovered.
Aaron Nelson, 43, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and concealing a corpse. The case hinges on a trail of surveillance footage, digital communications, and forensic evidence, as investigators have confirmed that Alexis Nelson’s body has yet to be found. He was taken into custody on May 15 following a thorough investigation and currently remains in Dodge County Jail.
Details from law enforcement reveal the last known sighting of Alexis Nelson occurred on March 29, 2025, captured by cameras at a Kwik Trip in Beaver Dam, where she was seen with Aaron. The last confirmed interaction she had with her family was by phone on March 25. Following the Kwik Trip encounter, Aaron used his debit card to purchase a 32-gallon trash can, a pivotal piece of evidence as similar cans were later found at his property during police searches. Sheriff Dale Schmidt indicated that further information will remain sealed due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Investigators have scrutinized Aaron’s actions after Alexis became unreachable. Notably, he created a Facebook account under an alias stating that he was widowed and subsequently connected with another woman through Tinder just weeks after his wife went missing. This new relationship developed rapidly, with the woman reportedly moving in with him by late May. Officers noticed she was wearing a ring belonging to Alexis, raising additional concerns about the timeline of events surrounding her disappearance.
The most compelling evidence presented so far points to the trash can linked to Aaron. DNA results from the item showed traces consistent with Alexis’s genetic material, while no other profiles were detected. Additionally, cadaver dogs indicated the potential presence of decomposing remains at various sites associated with the investigation. However, authorities have not disclosed how Alexis died or if a murder weapon has been identified.
The complaint also highlights a rocky relationship between the couple, suggesting a history of domestic abuse that prompted Alexis to seek a restraining order. A neighbor recounted hearing disputes between the couple and noted that she only saw Alexis in Aaron’s company, expressing a wish for closure in the case.
Concerns about Alexis’s well-being prompted her family to reach out to police months after her last confirmed sighting. By late October 2025, her mother reported that she had not seen or heard from Alexis. A text message from May 7 appeared to indicate that Alexis had relocated to Missouri, but investigators were unable to clarify its authenticity or track her movements further, leading them to question if someone else was accessing her accounts.
Aaron made his initial court appearance on May 18, where a judge set his bail at $1 million and scheduled future hearings. The gravity of the charges he faces, particularly the potential life sentence for first-degree intentional homicide, underscores the seriousness of the allegations. Like any defendant, he retains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
This investigation has traversed multiple locales in Wisconsin, indicating a complex timeline with fragments of information surfacing from various communities. From Beaver Dam, where the couple resided, to Oakfield, where Aaron later lived with his new partner, each location has added layers to the inquiry. Despite the ongoing legal process and the absence of Alexis’s remains, law enforcement has committed to uncovering the truth of her disappearance as the case progresses through the legal system.