It’s a story no one in Lincoln wanted to hear: a routine request for a welfare check that ended in tragedy. Authorities have confirmed the woman found dead inside her northeast Lincoln home last Thursday morning was 43-year-old Tracy Henman. In a somber update, Assistant Chief Jason Stille of the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) announced that a man close to Henman has been taken into custody, confirming that investigators believe this was a heartbreakingly isolated incident.
The horrifying discovery unfolded around 8 a.m. Thursday at Henman’s residence on Deweese Drive, an area just north of 56th and Holdrege Streets. Relatives, growing increasingly concerned after several days of silence from Tracy, made the desperate call to police. Responding officers entered the home and found both the victim and a man inside. Tracy was immediately pronounced deceased at the scene, suffering from visible injuries that pointed to a violent confrontation.
The 40-year-old Lincoln man, whose name has yet to be formally released, was immediately detained. Officers noted he was injured himself, with facial and neck wounds, and was transported to a local hospital. He currently remains there under medical supervision, but Assistant Chief Stille was clear: the man is the sole suspect in this case. His name will be made public once he’s booked into the Lancaster County Jail, but officials are waiting on further investigative steps before pressing formal charges.
“Charges are currently pending,” Stille noted, reminding the public that the final charges are likely to evolve depending on what the investigative team uncovers next. The LPD is relying heavily on the autopsy, which was scheduled for Saturday, to provide the official cause and manner of death, as well as crucial details about the estimated time the incident occurred. Getting those facts right is the priority as detectives build their case.
Meanwhile, the LPD’s Criminal Investigations Unit is deep into the process of gathering forensic materials, sifting through evidence, and interviewing everyone they can. A major focus for the team is clarifying the exact nature of the relationship between Tracy Henman and the man now in custody. Residents in the Deweese Drive area recall seeing multiple patrol cars and emergency crews swarming the normally quiet street for hours that morning as the LPD worked to secure the scene and document every detail.
The profound sadness of this event is amplified by the fact that this marks Lincoln’s sixth homicide investigation of 2025. Police records show a disturbing trend: three of those cases, including this one, involved domestic circumstances. City officials and local advocacy organizations are using this tragedy as another urgent reminder for residents that confidential help and resources are readily available for anyone trapped in an unsafe or abusive relationship. You are not alone.
As investigators continue their thorough work, they are urging anyone who noticed anything suspicious near Deweese Drive earlier in the week to please come forward. Even the smallest detail could be the key to the case. Tips can be submitted by calling Lincoln Police’s non-emergency line at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600. For those who need to remain completely anonymous, tips can also be shared through the P3 mobile app or lincolncrimestoppers.com. The authorities have extended their deepest condolences to Tracy Henman’s family and friends, promising to prioritize transparency and the community’s safety throughout this difficult investigation.
