A 65-year-old man who authorities say shot a woman earlier this week in St. Croix County, Wis., and then killed himself was on probation for abusing her in 2023 in Stillwater.
Authorities say Paul P. Hellem, 65, shot and killed Martha M. Woltman, 58, of Stillwater, with a 9-mm handgun sometime on Sunday or Monday at a property in Hersey, an unincorporated community about 30 miles east of Hudson. Hellem, whose last known address was in Grand Marais, Minn., then shot himself, said St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson.
Deputies found Hellem and Woltman’s bodies during a welfare check around 9 p.m. Monday at a property in the 700 block of 292nd Avenue. Woltman’s daughter hadn’t been able to reach her mother by phone or text and was concerned, Knudson said.
The last time anyone had contact with Woltman was shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday when a friend received a text from her, Knudson said.
The property, located in Springfield Township, is owned by a relative of Woltman’s and has no permanent structures. Woltman kept goats on the property, Knudson said, and it appears Hellem was staying in a camper on site.
Woltman and Hellem were each shot once, and there were no signs of struggle, Knudson said. The manner of Woltman’s death is homicide; Hellem’s manner of death is suicide, Knudson said.
Woltman worked as a part-time nurse for the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
“By all accounts, here was a person who had dedicated her life to caring for others,” Knudson said. “It sounds like she was a very kind soul, and this monster decided to take her life. His horrible actions left a lot of sadness, grief and trauma to the family. Our thoughts go out to all of those impacted by this event.”
2023 assault
In August, Hellem pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor fifth-degree assault charge stemming from a December 2023 incident involving Woltman at her house in the 600 block of Burlington Street East in Stillwater. He was originally charged with a felony charge of domestic assault by strangulation, but reached a plea deal with the prosecution, court records show.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Washington County District Court, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier called 911 when Woltman, whose face and neck were red, ran out of the home, yelled to the letter carrier that he needed to call 911, and then went to a home across the street.
Woltman told investigators that the couple had argued for hours the preceding evening about Hellem’s excessive alcohol consumption, and she told him to leave the home, according to the complaint.
Hellem instead began to throw Woltman’s clothing on the front porch and then “grabbed her by her hair and dragged her into the living room where he threw her to the ground,” the complaint states. “Hellem placed both of his hands over her face and … moved one of his hands to the area of her neck.”
Hellem allegedly applied enough pressure to her neck that “it impeded her ability to breathe,” the complaint states. Woltman was eventually able to break free and ran from the house.
Hellem drove away in her vehicle and was located several hours later. He was arrested on the domestic assault charge and for driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the complaint.
Woltman was granted an order for protection against Hellem, with whom she had been living since July 2022, on Dec. 11, 2023, claiming he broke her phone while she was trying to call 911; dragged her by her hair; held his hands over mouth and nose, and pinned her down, pulling hair and choking her, according to court documents.
A judge granted a domestic assault no contact order against Hellem; Washington County District Court Judge Siv Mjanger canceled the order on June 5, 2024. Court documents do not give a reason why it was vacated.
Hellem was sentenced in October to 90 days in the Washington County Jail with 80 days stayed for a year; he was given credit for 10 days already served. He was also placed on supervised probation for a year.
‘Tragic year’
Related Articles
Pioneer Press 2025 patio guide: Breweries, distilleries and wineries
Pioneer Press 2025 patio guide: Wring every second out of summer at these 100+ Twin Cities spots
Pioneer Press 2025 patio guide: Along the water and scenic spots
Truck driver tells trooper he was distracted by map before Washington County fatal crash
Two people found dead during welfare check in St. Croix County
Woltman’s killing is the third domestic-related event in St. Croix County this year resulting in death, Knudson said.
In March, a Hudson, Wis., man was charged with fatally stabbing his wife in their townhome and then threatening to end his life by making officers shoot him.
A 70-year-old New Richmond, Wis., man is charged with killing his wife in New Richmond. Her body was found March 2 in Polk County.
“There are two people currently in the county jail on charges of killing their spouse this year,” he said. “These aren’t random acts of violence. These murders were done by people who knew them, who were trusted partners. It’s been a tragic year.”
Courts reporter Nick Ferraro contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply