West Milwaukee woman, 66, found dead with head injury; 38-year-old man arrested Tuesday morning
What investigators say happened
A 66-year-old woman was found dead Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, 2026, near the intersection of South 44th Street and West Mitchell Street in West Milwaukee, prompting a homicide investigation and the arrest of a 38-year-old West Milwaukee man later the same day.
Police were called to the area just after 8 a.m. and located the woman unresponsive with a head injury. Officers began lifesaving measures before Milwaukee Fire Department crews arrived. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
After an initial investigation, authorities determined the death was a homicide. By Tuesday, investigators had identified a suspect described as known to the victim or known to police. The man was located near South 16th Street and West Canal Street in Milwaukee and taken into custody without incident.
Scene details and early information
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to an apartment complex in the area for one death. Police activity included taped-off access points around the building. Audio from a 911 call circulating publicly indicated a caller reported waking up and finding his wife on the floor, not moving and not breathing.
The medical examiner was called to an apartment complex near 44th and Mitchell for a single death as police secured the area.
What remains unclear
As of Tuesday evening, officials had not publicly released the woman’s name, the specific circumstances that led to the head injury, or whether a weapon was involved. Authorities also had not announced formal criminal charges in court records, nor provided a timeline describing when the injury occurred relative to the 911 call and police arrival.
Investigators said the case remained active and emphasized there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Key confirmed facts
Date and time: Police responded shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.
Location: Near South 44th Street and West Mitchell Street, West Milwaukee.
Victim: A 66-year-old woman found unresponsive with a head injury and pronounced dead at the scene.
Determination: Authorities classified the death as a homicide.
Arrest: A 38-year-old West Milwaukee man was taken into custody near 16th and Canal in Milwaukee without incident.
What to watch next
Further public updates are expected to come through the medical examiner’s identification of the victim and through criminal court proceedings that would detail the allegations, potential charges, and any initial court appearances. Investigators have not provided an estimated timeline for additional information.