Insets, left to right: Dakota Bilderback (Eau Claire County Jail) and Michael Lee (GoFundMe). Background: Sunset Drive in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (WEAU).
On Monday, a woman from Wisconsin, Dakota Bilderback, entered a plea of not guilty in response to accusations of fatally shooting the father of her children. Authorities allege that Bilderback, aged 29, shot 37-year-old Michael Lee twice in the face, leading to his death.
The incident unfolded on August 30, when officers from the Eau Claire Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence on Sunset Drive. According to a Facebook post by the police department, upon arrival, they discovered Lee deceased from gunshot wounds. After conducting an interview with Bilderback, officers took her into custody.
As detailed in a criminal complaint obtained by WEAU, a local NBC affiliate, Bilderback initially contacted emergency services to report an injury, later clarifying that Lee had been shot. Remarkably, when asked by the dispatcher about the victim, she reportedly stated, “I had to shoot my children’s father. To protect my children.”
Following her arrest and after being read her Miranda rights, Bilderback disclosed to the police that she was in possession of a firearm due to experiencing suicidal thoughts and intended to intimidate Lee. She recounted sending her children upstairs to facilitate a discussion with Lee. During this encounter, she allegedly held the gun to her head, expecting Lee to assist her in pulling the trigger. However, the situation escalated, resulting in her allegedly shooting Lee in the face, with a second shot fired to “stop the threat,” as described in the affidavit.
Bilderback attributed her actions to mental health struggles, which she claimed were worsened by methamphetamine use. Initially charged with second-degree homicide, the charges against her were subsequently elevated to first-degree homicide.
Cops initially arrested her on second-degree homicide charges but the charge was bumped up to first-degree homicide.
A GoFundMe post described Lee as “a cherished son, beloved brother, and true friend to all who knew him. Michael’s kindness, laughter, and warmth touched everyone around him.”
“His sudden departure has left a void that can never be filled, and he was taken from us far too soon,” the description stated.
Bilderback is at the Eau Claire County Jail on $250,000 cash bond. Her next court date is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
