Wilhelm Hospel: 'Dancing Granny' Lola's husband, 81, killed in Waukesha tragedy
Several witnesses have come forward and described the horror that unfolded on Sunday night, November 21, when a driver plowed into several marchers at a Wisconsin Christmas parade, killing five people and injuring over 40. According to Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson, the “suspect vehicle” was recovered after what is being called a mass casualty event. Investigators now have a “person of interest".
The person in custody has been identified as Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, who was found by the cops with the key to a Ford vehicle. The 39-year-old happens to be a career criminal and rapper who performs under the stage name MathBoi Fly. A red SUV, similar to the one that plowed onto the parade at Waukesha can be seen in one of his music videos.
READ MORE
7 years after 'Slender Man' terrified Waukesha, tragedy returns to city
Waukesha holiday parade: SUV drives through crowd, killing 5 and injuring over 40
The victims of the tragedy who have died have been identified as Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, LeAnna Owen, 71, Virginia Sorenson, 79, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81. Hospel was a part of the tragic parade, and his wife, Lola, was part of the Dancing Grannies team. Hospel had volunteered with the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies. Referring to Hospel as 'Uncle Bill', a relative of the deceased, Sonja Hospel Leonard, wrote on Facebook, "I am heartbroken to share my Uncle Bill was one of the victims of the Parade Massacre in Waukesha, WI. My Aunt Lola was one of the Dancing Grannies. She was injured as well, but will be physically ok. Uncle Bill was the youngest of 4 brothers, all of whom live in the Milwaukee area, though the two oldest escape to FL in the winters."
"They all would get together a few times a year to catch up and reminscence. The photos below are of Uncle Bill and Aunt Lola on a trip to the family homeland in Germany a few years ago, a photo from Uncle Ted's First Communion many years ago in Germany (Uncle Bill is the young boy seated on Grandpa Hospel's lap), and a recent gathering of the 4 brothers with Bill on the far right, my Mom to the left and Aunt Lola to her left. Please send your prayers for my Aunt Lola, my cousins Lori & Brian Hospel, and my Dad and his brothers Hans and Ted," she added.
Jim Ray, a friend and former co-worker of Hospel's wife, Lola, wrote on Facebook, "Oh, I'm just absolutely heartbroken. Just found out through the latest press conference that my friend and former coworker's husband Wilhelm Hospel was one of those killed in the Waukesha Parade incident."