CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Chippewa Falls woman who was arrested in an alleged murder-for-hire
scheme will remain in jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
Melanie S. Schrader, 47, 438 Olive St., appeared for a bond hearing Friday morning on a possible
charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
“Ms. Schrader and Derek Gerke are involved in a child custody matter,” Chippewa County District
Attorney Wade Newell explained at the hearing. “She reached out to a friend who she thought knew
bikers who could take care of Mr. Gerke.”
The friend initially ignored Schrader’s comments. But when she asked a second time, the friend
alerted law enforcement, Newell said.
An agent with the Department of Criminal Investigation posed as a hit man, he said.
“They had a telephone conversation set up, with details of the hit,” Newell said. “She went to make a
down payment of the hit, and she went and gave him a picture of the person.”
Newell requested the $250,000 cash bond, calling it a serious matter.
“The state has concerns about the safety of Mr. Gerke as well as his family, and the child in the
middle of the child custody issue,” Newell said. “The concern is if Ms. Schrader gets out of
custody, that she will flee with the child and we’ll never see her again. Obviously, something has
made her think this is the best way to deal with a child custody matter.”
Defense attorney Francesco Balistrieri pointed out that Schrader is a life-long area resident and has
no criminal record. Balisteri said he doesn’t consider her a flight risk. He requested she be released
on a signature bond.
However, Judge Steve Cray followed Newell’s recommendation and ordered the $250,000 cash bond,
with the requirement she have no contact with Gerke or his family if she is released. Cray set a return
date for Tuesday.
Schrader was taken into custody at 11 a.m. Thursday. She appeared in court via video from the jail,
looked down, never raising her head, throughout the hearing.
The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Chippewa County Sheriff’s
Department and the Chippewa Falls Police Department in investigating the case.