Elfred “Fred” Schultz Jr., the Milwaukee Police detective whose off-duty revolver killed his ex-wife Christine Schultz in 1981, was cleared as a suspect based on his work alibi, testified under a grant of immunity at the murder trial of his second wife Laurie Bembenek, and moved to Cape Coral, Florida, after her conviction. He has denied any role in the killing and has said publicly that he believes Bembenek was guilty.1Milwaukee Magazine. Laurie’s Last Days
Why His Gun Was at the Center of the Case
Christine Schultz was found dead on the night of May 28, 1981, in her bedroom at 1701 West Ramsey Street in Milwaukee. Her left wrist was bound with clothesline, a bandanna gagged her, and a single gunshot had passed through her heart. There was no sign of forced entry.2Justia Law. State v. Bembenek, 111 Wis. 2d 617
Schultz, a thirteen-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, was on duty that night.3Oxygen. Laurie Bambi Bembenek: Did She Kill or Was She Framed by Cops2Justia Law. State v. Bembenek, 111 Wis. 2d 6174Chicago Tribune. On the Lam
Cleared as a Suspect
Because it was his gun, Schultz drew early scrutiny. Later reporting established that he had lied to police about where he was that night, telling them he was working when he was actually drinking at a local bar.3Oxygen. Laurie Bambi Bembenek: Did She Kill or Was She Framed by Cops5Los Angeles Times. Bembenek Case6Shepherd Express. She’s Beautiful, She’s Dangerous and She’s on the Run From the Law
Schultz was also permitted to be present at the crime scene on the night of the murder and took part in searching the house, a detail critics later cited as evidence of loose investigative procedures.7American Theatre. How Far Can Run Bambi Run Run
Schultz had divorced Christine in November 1980 and married Bembenek in a civil ceremony in Waukegan, Illinois, on January 30, 1981, roughly a month later. The marriage was later found to have violated a Wisconsin law that required a six-month waiting period after divorce before remarrying.1Milwaukee Magazine. Laurie’s Last Days
Immunity and Testimony Against Bembenek
At Bembenek’s 1982 trial, Schultz took the stand under a grant of immunity. What exactly he was immunized from was never fully disclosed publicly. Bembenek’s defense later noted that at the time he testified, Schultz was the subject of a separate internal police investigation for “giving false information,” and that fact was never revealed to the jury.5Los Angeles Times. Bembenek Case
In at least one interview after the trial, he called Bembenek a “demon.”5Los Angeles Times. Bembenek Case2Justia Law. State v. Bembenek, 111 Wis. 2d 6171Milwaukee Magazine. Laurie’s Last Days
Life in Florida and Public Statements
After Bembenek’s conviction, Schultz relocated to Cape Coral, Florida. He has spoken to the media about the case on multiple occasions over the years and has consistently maintained two positions: that he had nothing to do with Christine’s death, and that he believes Bembenek was guilty of the murder.1Milwaukee Magazine. Laurie’s Last Days
The research file does not report any criminal charges against Schultz in connection with the killing, and no public disciplinary action against him has been reported in relation to the Gordon Park photographs Bembenek submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before her arrest, which showed off-duty Milwaukee officers, Schultz among them, engaged in public nudity.6Shepherd Express. She’s Beautiful, She’s Dangerous and She’s on the Run From the Law
Why Suspicion Around Him Never Fully Went Away
Even after he was cleared, Bembenek’s supporters kept returning to the same set of facts about Schultz: the murder weapon was his; he lied to investigators about his whereabouts that night; he testified under immunity while the department was internally investigating him for giving false information; and when DNA testing was eventually done, it was never compared to his sample.3Oxygen. Laurie Bambi Bembenek: Did She Kill or Was She Framed by Cops5Los Angeles Times. Bembenek Case
DNA testing ordered in 2002 and 2003 found no genetic material from Bembenek at the crime scene but did show that Christine had had sexual contact with an unidentified man before her death. The state crime lab had initially classified the case as a potential sexual assault. That male DNA was never matched to anyone.1Milwaukee Magazine. Laurie’s Last Days8WISN. Bembenek Attorney Requests New DNA Testing
Bembenek’s attorney Mary Woehrer went further, alleging that Schultz had hired associates to carry out the killing. She sought to compare the crime scene DNA to three men: Fred Horenberger, who died by suicide in 1991; Robert Trease, who was on death row in Florida; and Joe Hecht, a convicted contract killer who at one point claimed he had been hired to kill Christine Schultz and later recanted. Prosecutors argued the DNA neither implicated another killer nor exonerated Bembenek, and a judge denied further testing.8WISN. Bembenek Attorney Requests New DNA Testing
A John Doe investigation into the case, launched in 1992 at the urging of private investigator Ira Robins, found mistakes in the original police work but concluded there was no probable cause to believe there had been perjury, intentional misconduct, or a conspiracy to frame Bembenek. Schultz was never charged.9FindLaw. State v. Bembenek