DECORAH, IOWA – The results of an investigation into a double shooting have been completed by a number of agencies, pointing to a murder-suicide.
At approximately 6:36 pm on October 16, 2016 the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office began receiving 911 calls reporting multiple shots fired in the area of Dogwood Road in Winneshiek County just outside of Decorah. When the deputy arrived on scene, he located two deceased individuals with gunshot wounds at 2472 Dogwood Road.
The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), has completed the investigation into the deaths of Sarah Szabo, age 41, and Craig Freilinger, age 55. The investigation included autopsies by the State Medical Examiner in Des Moines (a report that will be certified in 4-6 weeks), multiple search warrants that were executed, extensive interviews, multiple neighborhood canvases and follow-ups on all evidence, tips, speculations, rumors and leads. A state crime lab team was engaged in processing the crime scene, including forensics and evidence collection.
All evidence concludes the following:
Sarah Szabo, age 41, died from injuries from multiple gunshot wounds. Sarah Szabo’s death has been determined: Homicide.
Craig Freilinger, age 55, died from injuries from a single, self-inflicted, gunshot wound. Craig Freilinger’s death has been determined: Suicide.
The evidence and investigation concludes Freilinger shot Szabo, then shot himself.
Agencies that assisted Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office with this case:
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Winneshiek County Attorney’s Office
Decorah Police Department
Calmar Police Department
Iowa State Patrol
Decorah Fire Department
Winneshiek County Emergency Management
Winneshiek Medical Center
Winneshiek County First Responders
State Medical Examiner’s Office
