Case involving deaths of David and Paula White ruled a murder-suicide; cause of fire still unknown

PLEASANT PRAIRIE (WITI) -- Pleasant Prairie police say the case involving the deaths of two people -- pulled from a home after a fire last Thursday, March 19th, has been ruled a murder-suicide. Police say David White shot and killed Paula White and their dog, before shooting himself.

David White, Paula Moctezuma

Officials were called out to the home in the 1800 block of 128th Street just before 1:30 a.m. Thursday. A number of area fire departments were called in to assist with a large fire at the White's home.

Once the fire was brought under control, Pleasant Prairie police, Pleasant Prairie fire officials and officials with the State Fire Marshal's Office began investigating the cause of the fire. That's when the bodies of two people and a dog were discovered in the home.

Two days later, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office with assistance from the Kenosha County Medical Examiner's Office identified the bodies as that of David and Paula White. Dental records were used to identify them.

Medical examiners have now ruled this case a murder-suicide. They say Paula White sustained two gunshot wounds to her head. Her death has been ruled a homicide. David White suffered a single gunshot wound to his head. His death has been ruled a suicide.

The dog also suffered a gunshot wound.

Evidence from the scene has been sent to the Wisconsin Crime Lab for testing.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown -- pending test results of that evidence.



David White, and Paula Moctezuma/White were at the center of a case involving 55 dead horses found on their farm and other allegations of animal neglect. A jury returned guilty verdicts against them on Thursday -- the same day the fire occurred. They were set to appear in court that morning, but they never showed.

In April of 2013, officials found 55 dead horses on their property -- and other animals that appeared to have been neglected. David White and Paula Moctezuma/White were each facing felony charges of animal mistreatment.