Bio

Michael J. Tenneson was born on November 21, 1959. He grew up in Holmen, Wisconsin. His childhood details are not widely known, but the area where he lived was mostly rural. Tenneson had a troubled life from an early age. He faced personal challenges and appeared to struggle with certain behaviors as he grew up.

As a young man, Tenneson got into trouble with the law. He was arrested multiple times for various offenses. By the time he was in his late twenties, he was serving time in La Crosse County jail. While in jail, he was allowed to go on work-release outings, which provided him temporary freedom. However, on March 10, 1987, he failed to return from one of those outings.

After escaping from jail, Tenneson remained in La Crosse for a short while. During this time, he committed several crimes. His actions during this period would later lead to significant consequences in his life. After his time in La Crosse, he traveled to Denver, Colorado, where he began living under the name "Michael Leith."

Murder Story

Michael J. Tenneson, also known as "Michael Leith," committed a series of murders in 1987. His first set of victims were Lila Bush, 73, her son Kenneth, 33, and Kenneth's girlfriend Debra Reget, 35. This happened on March 20, 1987, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Tenneson invaded their home and fatally shot all three of them.

After the murders in Wisconsin, Tenneson traveled to Colorado. He arrived in Denver on March 21, 1987, where he stayed for about two months. On May 20, 1987, he killed two young men, Jeffrey Sheffield, 23, and Mitchell Gonzales, 22. He shot them in the head while they were asleep, following a night of drinking and using drugs.

He was arrested on May 21, 1987, after he showed off Sheffield's car. During his time in custody, Tenneson confessed to the murders in Wisconsin. He faced trial in Denver in 1988. He was found guilty of two counts of murder for the Colorado killings, along with charges of aggravated robbery and auto theft. His sentence included two life terms and additional years for the robbery and auto theft.

Later, Tenneson was transferred back to Wisconsin to face trial for the murders of Lila Bush and her family. He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and received three more life sentences in Wisconsin. His total sentences included multiple life terms, making it impossible for him to receive parole for many years.