Former deputy accused in double homicide booked into jail

Andy Steele is being housed in Rock County Jail, officials say

MADISON, Wis. — The former Dane County deputy accused of killing his wife and sister-in-law has been booked into the Dane County Jail, but is being housed in the Rock County Jail, officials said.

Andy Steele, 39, was booked into the jail Tuesday, according to a news alert.

Lt. Todd Stetzer with the Fitchburg Police Department said Steele is being housed in Rock County because he used to work for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and there was a necessity to separate him from both his former co-workers and any inmates he may have had contact with.

Fitchburg police are recommending Steele be charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of his wife, Ashlee Steele, and his sister-in-law, Kacee Tollefsbol.

Police filed a probable cause affadavit with the Dane County District Attorney’s Office late Monday.

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said Steele had been located at a Milwaukee-area medical facility earlier in the week.

Police said Steele was treated at a hospital for injuries consistent with a suicide attempt.

Stetzer said they are continually forwarding reports to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office.

Ozanne said he believes his office is handling the case.

Family members said they’ve been told Steele is due to make his first court appearance Friday via closed circuit TV.

Steele recently retired from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office after being diagnosed with ALS. He has been seen on TV taking part in the ice bucket challenge to raise money for the cause.