How George Burch’s DNA Led to Justice in the Nicole VanderHeyden Case
Nicole VanderHeyden, known as Nikki by her loved ones, was a vibrant mother of three, whose life ended tragically at the hands of a stranger. The events surrounding her death, on what was supposed to be a fun night out, left an entire community reeling, while the subsequent investigation took unexpected twists and turns that kept the case alive in the national spotlight.
This extreme-long-form article takes a closer look at Nikki's life, the fateful night that led to her murder, the investigation, and the capture of her killer, George Burch.
Nicole VanderHeyden: A Life Full of Promise
Nikki, a passionate substitute teacher, had a knack for connecting with students and loved teaching science in the Green Bay Area Public School District. Her friends described her as an all-American woman, fully committed to raising her children from a previous marriage and her six-month-old infant with her boyfriend, Doug Detrie. Nikki and Doug’s relationship, though fairly new, seemed to be progressing quickly as they moved in together and embraced parenthood.
Despite the happy family image, there were growing cracks in the couple’s relationship. Doug felt uncertain about being a father and adapting to the new responsibilities, while Nikki grew insecure, frequently accusing Doug of infidelity. These tensions came to a head on the night of May 20, 2016, when the couple decided to take a much-needed break from parenting and enjoy a night out.
The Night Out That Changed Everything
On the night of May 20, Nikki and Doug attended a Steel Panther concert at a local Green Bay bar called The Watering Hole. What was meant to be a night of fun quickly spiraled into disaster, fueled by alcohol and simmering frustrations. Nikki, having recently given birth and been breastfeeding, had little tolerance for alcohol but was heavily drinking throughout the night. After the concert, Doug bumped into old high school friends and decided to stay behind, telling Nikki and their group of friends to go ahead to another bar, The Sardine Can.
This decision seemed to be the tipping point for Nikki. She became upset, sending Doug a series of accusatory texts, claiming he was cheating and ignoring her. Surveillance footage captured her distress at The Sardine Can, where she left angrily after Doug failed to answer her calls. She was last seen storming out of the bar around 11:45 p.m., walking into the night—never to be seen alive again.
The Crime Scene Discovery
The following day, Nikki hadn’t returned home. Doug, thinking she had stayed out too late or gone off with someone else, didn’t report her missing until late in the afternoon. However, by then, the horrific truth had already come to light. A frantic 911 call from a farmer led police to a secluded field in Bellevue, Wisconsin, just outside Green Bay. There, they found the lifeless body of a woman lying face down in the dirt, wearing only socks and two wristbands from the bars she had attended.
The brutality of the crime shocked investigators. Nikki had sustained over 240 injuries, including lacerations, contusions, a fractured skull, and defensive wounds on her hands. She had fought for her life but ultimately succumbed to a vicious attack that included blunt force trauma and evidence of strangulation.
The crime sent shockwaves through the community. Green Bay, known as a quiet and peaceful place, was now the setting of one of the most violent murders the area had ever seen. But while Nikki’s body had been found, the question remained: who was responsible for her death?
The Investigation: All Eyes on Doug Detrie
Initially, all signs seemed to point to Nikki’s boyfriend, Doug. He had admitted to arguing with her that night, and there was suspicion over his delayed missing person’s report. His hungover appearance when police arrived raised further doubts about his involvement. Officers even found a pair of shoes in Doug’s house with a red stain that looked like blood, and the tread pattern on the shoes matched the prints found on Nikki’s body.
However, the forensic evidence began to unravel this theory. Doug’s car, which police suspected was used to transport Nikki’s body, hadn’t been driven that night. Surveillance footage and location data placed Doug far from the crime scene at the time Nikki was killed. And most significantly, Doug’s Fitbit—technology that tracks movement—revealed that he hadn’t moved from his house during the window when the crime occurred. With no physical evidence tying Doug to the murder and a corroborating alibi, investigators were forced to look elsewhere.
A Break in the Case: The DNA that Led to George Burch
For months, Nikki’s case remained unsolved. Then, in a breakthrough, DNA from Nikki’s socks was analyzed and matched to a man named George Burch, a towering 6’8” individual from Virginia who had been living in Green Bay for a few months.
Burch had a criminal past, including a trial for murder in Virginia and other charges like burglary and illegal firearm possession. In Wisconsin, Burch had been living with friends and working to rebuild his life. However, the DNA evidence from Nikki’s socks, combined with location data from Burch’s phone, told a different story.
Google’s location data placed Burch at critical locations during the time of Nikki’s murder—outside her house, at the field where her body was found, and at the site where her clothes were dumped. With mounting evidence, police arrested George Burch in September 2016, and his trial began in 2018.
Burch’s Unbelievable Defense
During his trial, Burch told a bizarre and improbable story. He claimed that he had met Nikki at a bar, and the two had consensual relations in his car outside her house. According to Burch, Doug then attacked him, knocked him unconscious, and forced him at gunpoint to help dispose of Nikki’s body. Burch’s version of events portrayed Doug as the real killer, but investigators found no evidence to support his claims.
Instead, the prosecution argued that Burch had offered Nikki a ride home that night with ill intentions. When Nikki refused his advances, Burch became enraged, leading to the violent assault that ultimately claimed her life. The DNA evidence and Burch’s phone data were damning, painting a clear picture of his involvement in the crime.
Justice for Nicole VanderHeyden
The jury took only three hours to convict George Burch of first-degree intentional homicide. The judge’s scathing remarks at sentencing reflected the brutality of the crime, calling it one of the most horrific cases Brown County had ever seen. Burch was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
For Nikki’s family and friends, the verdict brought a sense of closure, though nothing could bring back the loving mother and dedicated teacher they had lost. Nikki’s story serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can take a tragic turn and how the people we trust, even strangers, can betray us in the most unimaginable ways.
Conclusion: Lessons from a Tragic Night
The murder of Nicole VanderHeyden was not only a devastating loss for her family but also a sobering case of how easily things can go wrong. What was supposed to be a fun night out ended in unimaginable violence. The case highlights the importance of looking out for one another, especially in vulnerable situations, and serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers that can lurk in the most unexpected places.
Nikki’s life, though cut short, touched the hearts of many, and her memory will live on as a testament to the love she had for her children and her passion for teaching. In the end, while justice was served, her death remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
