New Lisbon triple-homicide suspect pleads not guilty

Virgil Thew, the man accused of killing his partner and two young girls in New Lisbon last December, pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment Wednesday morning in Juneau County court. 48-year-old Thew faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide, with one count carrying a domestic abuse modifier. He is also charged with three counts of hiding a corpse, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, taking and driving a vehicle without consent, and resisting or obstructing an officer. A nine-day jury trial has been scheduled for Dec. 1, 2026. Prosecutors allege Thew killed his girlfriend 33-year-old Elizabeth Kolba, along with two girls ages 12 and 13. Their bodies were found at a New Lisbon home on December 30, 2024. Autopsies confirmed all three died of gunshot wounds. After 12 days on the run, Thew was captured on Jan. 9. Thew is held on a $5 million cash bond.