Germantown homicide; woman's body found in vehicle

GERMANTOWN, Wis. - A homicide investigation is underway in Germantown after a woman's body was found in a vehicle on Thursday, Nov. 3. 

According to police, around 2:18 p.m. officers were called to the area of Lovers Lane and Pleasant View Road after a resident reported finding a woman in his vehicle who appeared to be dead. 

Upon arrival at the scene, officers determined the woman in the vehicle was dead and appeared to have been shot.

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"There were people completely armed with full body gear, camouflage walking around," said neighbor Katie Henning. "There was a huge group with a sheriff tank-type vehicle."

Police identified the victim as 30-year-old Leah Gaines from Milwaukee County. It's still unclear how she ended up inside the vehicle.

Those who live nearby said they want answers and peace of mind – looking forward to the usually quiet area getting back to normal.

Homicide investigation near Lovers Lane and Pleasant View, Germantown

"There’s got to be more details that we’re not being told, and that makes me feel uneasy since I have little kids," Henning said.

Germantown Police Chief Mike Snow said homicides are extremely rare in the village; there has only been a handful in the past three decades. This one, officials believe, was a targeted attack.

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"We don’t feel that there is any risk to the general public. We do feel this person was targeted," said Snow.

The search for the killer is underway, police said.