APPLETON, WI – A woman from Outagamie County is facing serious charges after authorities say she tried to arrange the deaths of both her mother and stepfather, allegedly offering payment to have the killings staged as natural causes.
Lindsey Fuecht, 43, appeared in court Tuesday via video on two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide. Court documents allege Fuecht attempted to hire a killer because she believed her mother failed to report a claim of sexual abuse she endured as a child.
According to investigators, Fuecht first brought up her plan in early August during a conversation at her workplace, a local mental health facility. She told a colleague she wanted her mother killed, asking bluntly if the person had ever committed such an act. When pressed about her reasons, Fuecht reportedly said her mother “ruined her life” by taking no action after she disclosed being abused by a neighbor at age 7.
The colleague who heard Fuecht’s statements contacted law enforcement and agreed to act as an informant. Authorities then began monitoring their interactions, and Fuecht allegedly repeated her request several days later, even discussing possible payment for the act. Prosecutors say Fuecht told the informant she could not offer “a million dollars,” but was willing to provide a substantial sum.
Under police surveillance, Fuecht and the informant entered detailed negotiations on how the murders could occur without arousing suspicion. She described her mother as possibly having Alzheimer’s disease and said it was “time for her to go.” The informant introduced an undercover officer posing as a hitman to further the investigation.
In a recorded meeting inside an unmarked vehicle on Aug. 21, Fuecht reportedly said she wanted her stepfather killed as well and was willing to pay $10,000 for each target. She insisted both deaths needed to look natural and suggested options such as poisoning with oleander, tampering with sleep apnea equipment, or contaminating her stepfather’s coffee with Visine drops. She expressed reluctance over messy methods, saying she did not want “blood” involved, but considered staging a fall for her mother.
Fuecht purportedly indicated she would repair her strained relationship with her mother to avoid drawing suspicion after her stepfather’s planned death. She reiterated to the undercover officer that her mother was “ruining [her] life” but still claimed to love her, maintaining her belief that her parents had to “pay for what they did.”
As evidence of her intent, officials say Fuecht offered a tablet as a form of collateral and told both the informant and undercover officer that her parents, who are retired, were “worth millions.” She discussed making a down payment of $10,000, with an additional $10,000 to follow—funds she claimed she could access through tax refunds and eventual inheritance, which she alleged could total several million dollars.
Detectives arrested Fuecht following the agreement. She was formally charged and remains in custody with bond set at $100,000 cash. Court records do not currently list a plea.