David and Julenne Goetcheus
photo by Claire Henley
The parents of double homicide victims Sean and Donny Goetcheus said Thursday they expect this to be the year their sons’ case is solved.
David and Julenne Goetcheus made a special appeal to the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of their sons’ murderer(s).
Jan. 9, 2016 will mark the 19th year that brothers Sean, 25, and Donny, 19, were shot execution-style inside their Brainerd home.
The parents stated little progress had been made on their sons’ case until District Attorney General Neal Pinkston created a Cold Case Unit in 2014. At that time the Goetcheus case reopened and new leads came in.
David Goetcheus, father of the victims, said at Thursday’s emotional press conference that he and his wife have waited 19 years for resolution on the murders of their sons. He said the Cold Case Unit has figured out three murders in less than a year. He and his wife are hopeful the unit will crack their sons’ case next.
Mr. Goetcheus said he and his wife want to hold the killers accountable in their lifetimes.
“I don’t believe in the word closure,” Ms. Goetcheus said. “But justice.”
She said faith was the primary thing that helped her get through the last 19 years. “The divorce rate in a situation like this is over 98 percent,” she said. It was faith that kept she and her husband together, she believes.
Ms. Goetcheus said she had to learn to forgive her sons’ killer(s), not for the killer(s)’ sake but for hers.
At this point, she and her husband want to know why some person or persons killed their sons. They want justice to be served.
The days and weeks following Sean and Donny’s death were “horrible,” Ms. Goetcheus said. “Couldn’t wrap my head around it.”
“The human mind can’t comprehend the death of your children,” Mr. Goetcheus said.
He said he almost did not make it because his mind could not take it, and that the guilt of his sons’ deaths haunts him. This is because Donny was living in his own apartment and was not paying rent, so Mr. Goetcheus kicked him out. Donny went to live with his older brother Sean in Brainerd. Two months later the boys were found dead inside Sean’s home.
“It’s been a nightmare, an absolute nightmare…Please come forward now. Please, please come forward.” Mr. Goetcheus urged of anyone with any information.
Ms. Goetcheus said she and her husband were being open about the case because “everyone deserves to find out what happened to their family members.”
She said they were opening up for the sake of justice.
She acknowledged the care, competency, and dedication of Investigator Mike Mathis and General Pinkston for their work on the Cold Case Unit and on Sean and Donny’s case.
The last time Mr. and Ms. Goetcheus saw their sons alive was on the Christmas of 1996.
“I hope none of you ever have to know what this is,” Ms. Goetcheus said through tears.
Anyone with information regarding the Goetcheus case should contact the Cold Case Unit by calling 423-209-7470 or emailing coldcases@hcdatn.org.