Man accused of murdering Wisconsin woman gets $5 million bond

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The man accused of murdering a Wisconsin woman and leading Nebraska authorities on a pursuit appeared in court for the first time Friday.

Gavin Thompson, 23, was charged in Nebraska with operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, hiding a corpse and theft by unlawful taking of $5,000 or more.

Thompson’s bond was set at $5 million, and he remains in the Lancaster County Jail, but the Dodgeville Police Department said he will be extradited to Wisconsin within the next week.

In a press conference on Friday, Wisconsin officials detailed the ongoing investigation into the murder of 67-year-old Dorinda Segebrecht.

Courtesy Iowa County Sheriff’s Office

Authorities shared the events leading up to the disappearance of Segebrecht, who was last seen Monday at her home in Wisconsin.

“The pain of such a senseless act of violence is something no family should ever have to endure,” said Dodgeville Mayor Barry Hottmann. “Please know that our entire community mourns with you.”

SEE ALSO: Body found following pursuit near Lincoln identified as missing Wisconsin woman

According to authorities, and Endangered Missing Person Alert was issued around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Her vehicle was seen in Illinois later that night and then in Nebraska the next morning.

Segebrecht’s body was found in the backseat of her vehicle following a chase, crash and four-hour manhunt on Interstate 80 west of Lincoln.

Thompson was arrested and lodged in the Lancaster County Jail.

“Our worlds have been turned upside-down. It has shaken us,” said Iowa County Sheriff Michael Peterson. “It has left many of us with hard questions, feeling fear and wondering, ‘What is next?'”

Thompson is expected to face charges in Wisconsin of first-degree intentional homicide, burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon, hiding a corpse and operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.

SEE ALSO: Body found in vehicle after pursuit ends in crash near Lincoln, patrol says

“This is not the end of our investigators’ work. It’s, in reality, just another start,” said Peterson. “This is the beginning of the next chapter. We will follow up on every detail, every proceeding, every step of the way until justice is served.”