La Crosse County homicide suspect arrested in Dane County

A man wanted on a homicide warrant from La Crosse County was caught during a traffic stop in Madison, according to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said a traffic team member working on Highway 51 ran a random check of the Department of Transportation records on a 2002 Toyota Corolla and found the registered owner was wanted for first-degree reckless homicide. Malachi C. Hankel, 28, of Madison, was stopped near Seminole Highway and taken into custody without incident.

According to a criminal complaint, Hankel provided heroin to Thomas H. Tremain, who was found dead in a home at W3841 County Road M in the town of Barre on September 6.

Tremain’s sister told investigators she took Tremain to St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison at about 10:15 p.m. on September 5. She said her brother had suffered from chronic alcohol problems and it was intended that he would get treatment for his alcohol abuse. The complaint states when they arrived at the hospital, Tremain ran away from her and hospital security.

Hankel told police he met Tremain on September 5 in Madison and agreed to drive him to La Crosse County and sold him heroin.

Autopsy results showed Tremain died following an acute intoxication due to the combined effects of heroin, alcohol and alprazolam.

Hankel will be returned to La Crosse County to face the homicide charge.

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