Former Illinois cat clinic worker leaves notes before killing four family members and himself

A 51-year-old veterinarian who managed a cat clinic in Illinois, United States, left multiple  notes before killing his parents, son, and longtime girlfriend in a suspected murder-suicide.

The suspect, identified as Bryan Schmidt, allegedly shot his parents, James Schmidt, 80, and Rebecca Schmidt, 77, his 22-year-old son, Maclaine Schmidt, and his 37-year-old girlfriend, Nicole Heiser, at his parents’ home in Mundelein on Sunday, October 18, 2026, before taking his own life.

Investigators determined 51-year-old Bryan Schmidt shot them “in close proximity to each other before turning the gun on himself.”

Officers responding to a welfare check at the residence found the victims slaughtered and identified three of them as immediate family members of the shooter. The fourth victim was the partner of the shooter.

According to the press release, police found several suicide notes written by Bryan spread between the house and his vehicle. 

They also found a trove of evidence they are reviewing, the release said. The “significant amount of evidence” includes electronic devices that are set to be forensically analyzed.

Police did not disclose the content of the suicide notes.

In a GoFundMe set up for Heiser’s family, her brother-in-law said she was Bryan’s partner of 11 years. He identified the elderly Schmidts as Bryan’s parents and Maclaine as the killer’s son.

“Nicole was a caring, beautiful soul who cared deeply for her family,” read part of the fundraiser. “One would be hard-pressed to find another person more loyal than Nicole. She had an unparalleled love for animals and dedicated her life to caring for them as a veterinary technician.”

The investigation began after the Schmidts’ daughter requested a welfare check, NBC Chicago reported.

Neighbors said they heard what sounded like firecrackers, which they believed were related to the Bears game that began at noon on Sunday, NBC Chicago and ABC 7 reported.

Police believe the killings occurred between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time.

Authorities say they are still working on establishing a motive.