‘Dateline NBC’: Where is Cindy Schulz-Juedes now? Wisconsin woman who managed to keep husband’s murder secret for 15 years
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Cindy Schulz-Juedes was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Wisconsin when she was allegedly killed by her inmate in the cell. She was convicted in October 2021 for the 2006 murder of her husband, Ken Juedes, a crime that went unsolved for 15 years.
Ken Juedes was found shot to death in their home in Marathon County, Wisconsin. For years, Cindy maintained her innocence and lived her life without any charges. However, in 2019, new evidence and renewed investigation efforts led to her arrest. The prosecution argued that Cindy killed Ken to claim his $950,000 estate and life insurance policies. Despite Cindy's consistent claims of innocence and her argument that the trial was unfair, the jury found her guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.
In 2022, Cindy was sentenced to life in prison. Her case drew significant media attention, including an episode of 'Dateline NBC,' which will explore the details of the murder, the long investigation, and Cindy's eventual conviction.
Who was Cindy Schulz Juedes?
Cindy Schulz Juedes was a woman from Marathon County, Wisconsin, whose life took a tragic turn when she was found guilty of a heinous crime. In 2022, she was convicted of murdering her husband, Ken Juedes, back in 2006. Ken Juedes was a respected pharmacist and businessman. On the night of his death, he was shot twice with a shotgun while sleeping in their home.
For years, the case remained unsolved, casting a long shadow over their community. However, investigators eventually gathered enough evidence to charge Cindy with the crime, suspecting financial motives behind the murder, including life insurance policies. Her conviction brought closure to a case that had puzzled authorities and the public for over a decade, highlighting a shocking story of betrayal and greed.
Cindy Schulz-Juedes married Ken Juedes for financial motive
Cindy Schulz-Juedes married Ken Juedes, a respected pharmacist and businessman, and their marriage appeared typical from the outside. However, investigators later uncovered that Cindy had significant financial troubles and debts before and during their marriage. Cindy was burdened with substantial debts and facing financial difficulties, which strained her finances and created a motive for her actions.
In 2006, Ken Juedes was found dead, having been shot twice while he slept in their home in Marathon County, Wisconsin. However, over time, investigators began to piece together evidence suggesting that Cindy had orchestrated the murder to gain financial benefits from Ken's life insurance policies, among other assets. The motive for the murder was believed to be rooted in her desire to alleviate her financial woes and secure a more stable financial future. The case against Cindy was built on various pieces of evidence, including her financial records, which revealed the extent of her debts and the potential financial gain she stood to receive from Ken's death.
How did Cindy Schulz Juedes kill Ken Juedes?
Cindy Schulz-Juedes was convicted of killing her husband, Ken Juedes, by shooting him with a shotgun. The murder took place on August 30, 2006. According to investigators, Ken Juedes was found in their home with two shotgun wounds: one in his back and one in his chest. Cindy claimed she was sleeping in a nearby trailer the night of the murder and did not hear the gunshots. However, the prosecution argued that Cindy killed Ken for financial gain, as he had substantial life insurance policies and valuable property. Despite maintaining her innocence, she was sentenced to life in prison for the crime.
Cindy Schulz Juedes maintains her innocence during trails
Throughout her trial, Cindy Schulz-Juedes consistently maintained her innocence regarding the murder of her husband, Ken Juedes. She repeatedly stated that she had nothing to do with his death and claimed she was unfairly convicted.
During her sentencing, Cindy expressed that the life imprisonment ruling "hurt her soul," and she criticized her trial attorney. She emphasized her innocence by starting many of her statements with phrases like "as an innocent person," insisting that she did not kill her husband despite the jury's conviction.
Judge Michael Moran calls Cindy Schulz Juedes’ actions “callous and unfeeling”
During Cindy Schulz-Juedes's sentencing, Marathon County Circuit Judge Michael Moran described her actions as "callous and unfeeling." This characterization was based on her behavior following the death of her husband, Ken Juedes. Judge Moran pointed out that Schulz-Juedes's response to discovering her husband's body and her subsequent actions lacked empathy and compassion.
Instead of seeking help for her husband or showing concern, her actions were seen as calculated and insensitive. As a result, Moran sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of release, emphasizing the severity of her actions and their impact on Juedes' family.
Taylor Sanchez accused of killing Cindy Schulz Juedes in prison
In July 2023, Taylor Sanchez, a 28-year-old inmate at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, was accused of killing her cellmate, Cindy Schulz-Juedes. Sanchez had stopped taking her medications and was hearing voices. She believed Schulz-Juedes was using her toothbrush to clean the toilet, which led her to attack Schulz-Juedes.
Cindy Schulz-Juedes, who was 68 years old, was found in a pool of blood with severe injuries, including many skull fractures and 34 broken ribs. Sanchez admitted to the crime, telling a prison sergeant that voices told her to kill her cellmate. After the incident, Sanchez was moved to a supervised living facility.
'Dateline NBC' airs Fridays at 10 pm ET.
