27-Year-Old Ben Wheeler Man Charged With Murder

On Sunday October 25, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on VZCR 4907. Deputies were informed that one of the crash victims had possibly been stabbed prior to the crash.

"Deputies arrived on the scene at approximately 12:30 a.m. They observed Jonathan Shipman, 30, Tyler, lying on the ground suffering from multiple stab wounds," said Van Zandt County Investigator Chuck Allen.

Allen said that there was also a woman on the scene, Shelly Rackow, 30, Bullard, that had been cut across the throat.

"Deputies asked Rackow what had happened and she said that Shipman had been stabbed by a man named Wilhelm Ostrom," said Allen.

Investigators went to a residence on VZCR 4605 to investigate the stabbing incident.

"I went to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler and was advised that Shipman had died due to multiple stab wounds," said Allen.

Allen said that the pair was driving to the hospital when the crash occurred.

He said that Ostrom, 27, Ben Wheeler, was arrested that day and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for cutting Rackow across the throat. He was arraigned and his bond set at $100,000 for that charge.

"Ostrom has since been charged with murder for his involvement in the death of Shipman," said Allen.

Ostrom’s bond was set at $1,000,000 with conditions.

"This is an ongoing investigation and there are no other details available at this time," said Allen.