A community that once prayed for a safe return is now left in deep sorrow after 40‑year‑old veteran Matthew Zens of St. Francis was found dead in a West Bend Walmart parking lot. Loved ones and authorities had hoped for a miracle, but that hope turned into grief when officers located Zens inside his car on the evening of Dec. 29, 2025.
Police in St. Francis had issued a Green Alert on Dec. 28, signaling serious concern for Zens’ safety after he was reported missing and believed to be in crisis. The alert mobilized local law enforcement and community members alike, all watching and waiting for news.
Zens was last seen near his home in St. Francis around 12:45 p.m. Sunday on Dec. 28. When he didn’t show up to work on Monday morning in Germantown and failed to check in with loved ones, fears grew. Police noted unusual circumstances surrounding his disappearance, including a missing firearm from his residence.
In the hours after he was reported missing, Zens’ silver 2018 Toyota Camry was tracked by automated cameras near Good Hope Road and North Teutonia Avenue in Milwaukee the night before. Family members told officers he sometimes drove to clear his head, a detail that offered both a clue and concern as the search continued.
The community and law enforcement held onto hope through long hours. The alert — meant to help locate veterans in distress — spurred calls from residents and tips to authorities as the night unfolded. It was a tense and emotional wait for friends and family.
Tragically, at about 6:18 p.m. on Dec. 29, West Bend officers found Zens inside his vehicle in a Walmart parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police immediately said there was no threat to the public, and investigators from both West Bend and St. Francis continued working to understand exactly what happened.
Zens’ passing has deeply affected those who knew him. Beyond the headlines, he was someone’s family, friend, and neighbor — a person whose struggles touched many. His story serves as a sober reminder of the importance of mental health awareness, compassionate community support, and the unseen battles many carry with them.
May his memory be a call for kindness and support for those in pain, and may those who loved him find comfort in shared memories during this difficult time. Zens’ life mattered, his loss is felt, and his story continues to resonate with all who read it.
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