Report: Wisconsin Man Wanted To Collect $156K Insurance

Search warrants allege that a southwestern Wisconsin man accused of killing his three sons in a house fire last week hoped to collect $156,000 in insurance, a Madison television station reported Thursday.

The court documents allege that Armin Wand III told investigators he tried to kill his family in the fire to collect up to $100,000 on his wife and $10,000 on each of his four children’s life insurance policies, in addition to $16,000 on renter’s insurance, WKOW-TV reported.

Wand, 32, and his 18-year-old brother, Jeremy Wand, face charges including first-degree intentional homicide and arson. In the criminal complaint, investigators allege that Armin Wand set his rented house in Argyle on fire in hopes of killing his family because his wife was complaining about money and he wanted a fresh start.

The complaint also alleges that Armin Wand told his brother to lock two of his sons in their room from the outside. The search warrants indicate that authorities took a doorknob with its lock assembly from the home.

Armin Wand’s three sons – 7-year-old Allen, 5-year-old Jeffery and 3-year-old Joseph – died in the Friday morning fire. His 27-year-old wife, Sharon Wand, lost her unborn baby and remained in critical condition Thursday at University of Wisconsin Hospital. Her family says the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, Jessica Wand, is healthy and safe.

Phone messages left Thursday evening at the offices of Armin and Jeremy Wands’ attorneys were not immediately returned. The brothers remained in jail Thursday, with bail for each man set at more than $1 million. Their preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 13.