MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) — The father of a 13-year-old Madison girl stabbed to death July 30 was charged today in Dane County Court in connection with her death.
Travis Christianson, 44, was charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of attempted first degree intentional homicide during a court appearance.
A judge ordered $1 million cash bail.
The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office said Addrianna Christianson was killed at her Madison home last Thursday night.
Travis Christianson's wife also was injured, according to a search warrant seeking Christianson's DNA.
Christianson's wife told investigators that she had returned home to find him holding a knife. She asked about Addrianna, and he told her, "I already killed her," according to the search warrant.
Travis Christianson then came toward his wife with the knife and they struggled before she got the knife away from him before going to a neighbor's for help. She was injured during the struggle, according to the search warrant.
Officers arrested Christianson at the scene after using a Taser to bring him under control, according to the search warrant.
A criminal complaint states earlier on the night of the violence, Christianson was intoxicated and wanting beer and his wife decided to go a store for him because "...she didn't want him to drive drunk and kill somebody." The search warrant affidavit states Christianson's wife threatened to end the marriage if he drove, and broached selling their home as part of a break up.
Travis Christianson works as a custodian at Glacier Edge Elementary School in Verona, according to the Verona Area School District. He has been placed on administrative leave.
Addrianna was going to be an eighth-grader at Savanna Oaks Middle School.
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