The family were regular church-goers and Denise was very involved in community services as well as raising monies to fight cancer. Her family was everything, including her siblings and extended family. Jim seems like everyone's Dad, busy working, hanging out with the boys. And Jayme was a busy teen with cross country and dancing. It's just a normal family who went to bed that Sunday night after Mom and Jayme attended a family birthday party.
Well said. The victims were not only quintessentialy small town normal, but actively involved in the community.
One neighbor, however, also described the victims as being withdrawn and "almost reclusive". This seems to contradict the other aspects of their lives. The description could just be an individual impression from a neighbor accustomed to well, knowing his neighbors well.
At the same time, the apparent contradiction could stem from an active desire by the victims to keep the location of their actual residence from becoming known. This might have been due to a prior confrontation, perhaps even in the distant past, with somebody.
It might be a good idea to see how many neighbors had the "almost reclusive" impression, or if the victims took other steps to conceal their residence ("forgetting" to update employers of a move, use of a P.O box etc).
Likewise, see if the victims ever had supervisory authority over somebody, or a respect / disrespect issue with somebody over even a trivial matter.
Many Wisconsinites have favorite taverns for years, or even generations. Wisconsin taverns are
very numerous and are more than just a place to drink. Rather, they serve as community social gathering places with discussions about everything- including possible respect / disrespect topics. Maybe a miffed tavern patron?
Heck, going
way further out on a limb, did the father hunt or trap? Was he ever in a dispute with somebody over who hunts where? Likewise, some trappers can get uhmm... "irate" if unwritten rules regarding who traps where are not followed. The motive would not be hunting or traps, but respect / disrespect issues.