A 41-year-old Wisconsin woman, Tyiece Oninski, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide following the alleged stabbing death of her 14-year-old daughter, Kuren Rein, on March 19. The incident, which occurred in the Town of Turtle, near Beloit, garnered national attention after Oninski reportedly told emergency dispatchers the following morning that she had killed her daughter "to protect her from Elon Musk."
According to official reports, Oninski contacted the non-emergency line of the Rock County Communications Center on March 20, confessing to the murder. During the 13-minute call, she also stated that she had attempted to take her own life with the same knife used in her daughter's death, requesting both an ambulance and a hearse and explaining that she had survived her suicide attempt. The home where the tragedy unfolded was shared by Oninski, Rein, and a grandfather figure.
Upon arrival at the residence, deputies discovered Oninski with deep lacerations to her neck, cuts on her wrists, and what appeared to be a stab wound to her temple. Inside the home, Rein was found face down, exhibiting multiple wounds to her neck and arms, according to WKOW. Investigators located a black pocketknife and its empty sheath near the victim's body, which were subsequently collected as evidence. The Rock County Medical Examiner's office later confirmed that Rein's cause of death was deep incised wounds to the neck and noted that there were no defensive injuries, suggesting the attack may have been unexpected or overwhelming.
Toxicology reports conducted on Oninski indicated the presence of benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and THC in her system at the time of the incident. Court records further revealed a prior criminal history for Oninski, including misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse, and bail jumping in both Rock and Walworth counties.
Kuren Rein, a freshman at Beloit Memorial High School, was remembered fondly by her family. Her uncle, Travis Oninski, described her as "very sweet, very kind… always bubbly." He recounted his last conversation with his niece just days before her death, expressing pride in her academic achievements. "I was proud of Kuren for doing such a good job, for being able to stay focused…," Travis Oninski told Channel 3000, as reported by The Gateway Pundit, adding, "I know that was the last time I ever got the chance to speak with them."
Tyiece Oninski appeared in Rock County Circuit Court on March 26, where she was formally charged with first-degree intentional homicide. This charge is classified as a Class A felony in Wisconsin and carries a potential penalty of life in prison. She was held on a $1 million cash bond, with her next court hearing scheduled for April 14, according to information from People magazine.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community has rallied to support Rein's surviving family. A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by a family friend, had raised over $19,000 by March 27. The fundraiser aims to assist Rein's older brother in navigating the aftermath of the tragedy, coping with his grief, and honoring his sister's memory.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the case. Oninski’s public defender has not yet issued a statement regarding the charges. Officials have also not provided further clarification regarding Oninski's stated reasoning for the crime, specifically her reference to Elon Musk. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from the complex intersection of parental mental health struggles, substance use, and domestic violence. Rein’s death underscores the critical importance of awareness, early intervention, and robust community support systems in households where family struggles and individual crises pose extreme risks to vulnerable members.
