'Betrayed, Shot And Killed': Family Remembers Mundelein Murder-Suicide Victim

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A 37-year-old woman who was among five people killed in a Mundelein murder-suicide last month is being remembered for her love of animals, devotion to her family and compassion for others.

Nicole Heiser, a longtime veterinary technician who worked at two Libertyville animal clinics, was fatally shot on Oct. 18 by her boyfriend of 11 years, Bryan Schmidt, according to police. In a GoFundMe campaign, whcich was set up to help cover funeral and burial expenses, Heiser's brother-in-law, Paul Delfeld, described the devastating loss.

"On Sunday October 18, 2026, my sister-in-law, Nicole Heiser, was betrayed, shot, and killed by her boyfriend of 11 years," Delfeld wrote. "He proceeded to take the lives of his son and his parents, before taking his own."

Delfeld said his wife, Heiser's sister, and their mother have been left struggling to make sense of the tragedy.

"Nicole was a caring, beautiful soul who cared deeply for her family," he wrote. "One would be hard-pressed to find another person more loyal than Nicole."

The fundraiser has raisedmore than $31,000 toward a $35,000 goal.

A Lifelong Love Of Animals

Heiser attended St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan through eighth grade before attending Warren Township High School, where she played volleyball and basketball and was involved in Girl Scouts and theater, according to her obituary.

She later graduated from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in animal behavior.Heiser's love of animals began at an early age. She was known to release minnows from fishing buckets, help turtles cross roads and take in abandoned animals.

That passion eventually became her career.

Heiser worked for 13 years as a veterinary technician at Northern Illinois Cat Clinic in Libertyville before joining GreenTree Animal Hospital, also in Libertyville.

The now-closed Northern Illinois Cat Clinic was founded by Rebecca Schmidt, 77, who was also killed in the Oct. 18 shooting. Schmidt and her husband, James Schmidt, 80, were the parents of Bryan Schmidt, the man police say killed Heiser and three others before taking his own life.

Rebecca Schmidt was a retired veterinarian who graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1973. She became the first female veterinarian to complete a postgraduate internship in 1975, according to an archived version of the clinic's website cited by the Daily Herald.

Bryan Schmidt also managed the clinic, which specialized in feline care and closed about two years ago, according to the Daily Herald.

Heiser continued expanding her knowledge of animal care through research and hands-on experience, developing close relationships with the animals she treated and their owners.

"Her work was her passion, and her patients were treasured," her family wrote in her obituary.

Outside of work, Heiser volunteered at animal shelters and enjoyed spending time in the woods of northern Wisconsin.

A vegetarian who valued sustainable living, she was mindful of how even small actions could affect wildlife. Her obituary recalled how she always cut apart plastic beverage packaging to prevent animals from becoming entangled in it.

She was also a devoted aunt who supported her nieces through important milestones and maintained close friendships dating back to her school years.

Five Found Dead In Mundelein Home

Police believe Bryan Schmidt, 51. killed the four victims between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 18 before fatally shooting himself. The five bodies were discovered after a concerned family member requested a well-being check at about 11:45 p.m.

Autopsies conducted by the Lake County Coroner's Office determined Heiser and Maclaine Schmidt died from gunshot wounds to the head. James and Rebecca Schmidt died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Bryan Schmidt died from an intraoral gunshot wound to the head, according to the coroner's office.

Investigators recovered multiple suicide notes left by Bryan Schmidt at the scene and inside his vehicle, along with two handguns and electronic devices that were to undergo forensic examination. Police said they had no prior contact with Schmidt or the victims and were continuing to investigate a possible motive for the killings.

Patch.com has reached out to police for an update on the case and will provide more details as they become available.

Community Supports Grieving Family

In the weeks since Heiser's death, friends, relatives and community members have contributed to a fundraiser to help her family cover funeral and burial expenses.

Her family described her as someone who led with compassion, generously supported loved ones through difficult times and remained unwavering in her loyalty to family and friends.

"Nicole's sudden departure from this world does not dim her bright light, nor does it lessen the profound impact she made in improving so many animals' and loved ones' lives," her family wrote in her obituary.

Those wishing to donate to the fundraiser set up for Heiser's family can do so here.