Monday, January 3, 2011

Omaha, NE: Homicide Ends Years of Assault Between Hadan And Eckhou

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Omaha, NE - An attempted murder-suicide leaves one woman dead and her boyfriend in critical condition. Omaha police say 43-year-old Mitchel Hadan shot and killed Rita Eckhout at 72nd and L Street Saturday night.

This isn't Hadan's first run-in with the law. Saturday night's homicide was an unfortunate ending to years of violence between Hadan and Eckout.

"She didn't deserve this," Nathan Eckhout, Rita's brother said. "We're still a little bit in shock. We're just hanging in there, I guess."

Omaha police say it was an attempted murder-suicide. A car stalled on the I-80 on-ramp at 72nd and L Street. An officer stops to check on the two inside. On his way back to his cruiser, the officer hears two shots.

Police say 43-year-old Mitchel Hadan murdered Rita Eckhout, his girlfriend and mother of his 3- year-old, son, Hunter, before turning the gun on himself.

Hadan's rap sheet ranges from robberies to assault on an officer. Most recently, he was arrested for a burglary.

Both Hadan and Eckhout -- no stranger to violent attacks.

A police report shows in September 2008, Eckhout arrested for attacking Hadan.

Just this past May, police arrest Hadan for terroristic threats and hitting Eckhout in the face with a gun.

Eckhout's family says they don't know much about Hadan, but are heartbroken at the price Rita paid in yet another violent attack.

"She was just a girl that loved life, go out there and explore things, ambitious," her brother said.

Hadan is still in critical condition at Creighton University Medical Center. Family members tell KMTV Action 3 News, Eckhout's mother is taking care of the couple's toddler, Hunter.

Reported by Hannah Pickett, hpickett@action3news.com

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