In the quiet, close-knit community of Jeffersonville, Indiana, a horrific crime has shattered the peace of a neighborhood unaccustomed to violence. Erich Winnecke, a 73-year-old longtime resident, met a gruesome fate at the hands of his own son, 33-year-old Bryce Winnecke, in a case that has left the town reeling in disbelief. What began as a routine welfare check on a warm August morning spiraled into a chilling investigation, revealing a tale of family discord, delusion, and unspeakable violence.
On the morning of August 15, 2025, Ann Winnecke, Erich’s ex-wife and Bryce’s mother, grew increasingly uneasy. She hadn’t heard from Erich, a man she remained on friendly terms with despite their divorce. Her concern deepened after witnessing her son’s erratic behavior. Around 9:15 a.m., Bryce, who lived with her and his brother at their home on the 3000 block of Callaway Drive, tore through the house in a state of agitation. Ann watched as he grabbed a kitchen knife, his demeanor described as “excited,” before he bolted out the door and sped off in a car. Alarmed, she tried texting Erich, but his uncharacteristic silence fueled her fears. She contacted the Jeffersonville Police Department to request a welfare check at Erich’s home on the 1700 block of Summerlin Place, just a mile away, suspecting her son might have done something unthinkable.
What police discovered at Erich’s residence was beyond comprehension. Inside the master bedroom, they found Erich’s lifeless body, brutally stabbed multiple times and decapitated. Blood spattered the walls and ceiling, painting a grim picture of the violence that had unfolded. A large knife, its blade deformed from striking hard surfaces, lay nearby, and evidence of defensive wounds on Erich’s body suggested he had fought desperately for his life. The scene was described by Jeffersonville Police Chief Kenny Kavanaugh as “horrific,” a sentiment echoed by investigators who called it one of the most disturbing cases they had ever encountered.
As police processed the scene, Ann and her other son arrived at Erich’s home, confronting the devastating reality of his death. In a moment of anguish, Ann called Bryce, who chillingly confessed over the phone, “I killed him. I went over to Dad’s because he is the evilest person that ever lived. I cut his head off.” The words, cold and deliberate, sent shockwaves through the investigation, pointing directly to Bryce as the perpetrator.
Within 20 minutes of the initial discovery, police tracked Bryce to his mother’s home on Callaway Drive. Officers spotted him outside, clutching a plastic bag containing an object the size of a human head and holding a knife. When approached, Bryce retreated into the house, sparking a tense four-hour standoff with Jeffersonville police and SWAT teams. Loud bangs echoed through the neighborhood as authorities deployed flashbangs and gas to coax him out. Around 2:30 p.m., Bryce finally emerged, surrendering without further incident. Inside his bedroom, police uncovered a gruesome find: Erich’s severed head, concealed in the plastic bag he had been carrying.
Court documents paint a picture of a deeply troubled relationship between father and son. In the days leading up to the murder, tensions had reached a boiling point. On August 13, Erich had confided in Ann that Bryce was acting “delusional” and “very weird.” That same day, Bryce sent his father a text message stating he “un-forgives him” and wanted no further contact. The following day, Ann’s attempts to reach Erich went unanswered, a silence that now carries the weight of tragedy. Surveillance footage from Erich’s Ring camera system captured Bryce at his father’s door at 11:53 p.m. on August 13, leaving just after midnight on August 14. The timeline suggests the murder occurred shortly thereafter, culminating in the brutal act discovered the next morning.
Bryce Winnecke, now 33, faces charges of murder and abuse of a corpse. Held at the Clark County Jail, he was scheduled for an initial court appearance on August 19, though a medical emergency delayed the hearing to August 20. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence, reflecting the gravity of the crime. Bryce has no prior criminal history, making his actions all the more shocking to those who knew him. Neighbors on Callaway Drive described him as friendly, often waving as he passed by, and his family as quiet and family-oriented. “It’s just unreal,” one neighbor told WLKY, struggling to reconcile the horrific act with the man they thought they knew.
The Jeffersonville community, known for its safety and tranquility, is grappling with the aftermath. On Summerlin Place, where Erich lived for over a decade, neighbors like Sandy Cook remembered him as a quiet man who tended to his yard and fetched his mail, a familiar figure now gone under unimaginable circumstances. “It’s been pretty traumatic,” Cook said, reflecting on the horror that unfolded next door. Others, like Randi Snider, expressed sorrow for a family torn apart by conflict, noting, “When families have issues, it can hit anywhere.”
As investigators continue to piece together the motive behind this heinous act, questions linger about what drove Bryce to such an extreme. Court records hint at “heated debates” and an “ongoing source of serious contention” between father and son, though the specific trigger remains undisclosed. The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office is working diligently, filing search warrants for both homes to gather further evidence, including forensic analysis and witness statements, to build a comprehensive case.
Erich Winnecke’s life, marked by years as a Jeffersonville resident, ended in a way that has left his family and community heartbroken. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, as loved ones navigate the pain of his loss and the betrayal of a son’s unthinkable actions. The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward, including through anonymous tips to the Jeffersonville Police Department.
In a town unaccustomed to such violence, the tragedy of Erich Winnecke’s death serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of family bonds and the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict. For now, Jeffersonville mourns, holding tight to memories of a man whose life was cut short in a manner too horrific to fathom.
