Brent Bogseth, the owner of the former Regulus Cafe, was charged in connection with the death of his wife, Kimberly. [DNAinfo/Heather Cherone; Facebook/Mike Kessler]

PORTAGE PARK — The family of a woman who owned Regulus Coffee House in Portage Park and whose husband has been charged with her murder launched an online fundraiser in an effort to get custody of her 18-month-old son.

Brent Bogseth, who moved to Grand Junction, Mich., with his family after the cafe at 6032 W. Irving Park Road closed last year, is being held without bail after being charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife, Kimberly Cook Bogseth.

Brent Bogseth is being held without bail after being charged with murder in connection with his wife Kimberly's death. [Van Buren County, Michigan, Sheriff's Office]

Kimberly Bogseth died from blunt-force trauma most likely caused by a hammer, according to the medical examiner's report.

Brent and Kimberly Bogseth, who were high school sweethearts at Taft High School, had an 18-month-old son, Gage, who is now in the care of Michigan authorities, family friends said.

Heather Cherone discusses the case:

The fundraiser — launched by Kimberly Bogseth's mother Cheryl and sister Kelly — is an effort to raise $30,000 to pursue custody of Gage and cover legal costs as well as the cremation of her body and any of Gage's needs.

"Kimberly was not only a mother, but a daughter, a sister and a friend to many," Kelly Cook wrote. "She will be greatly missed."

Brent Bogseth was arrested Sept. 11 in Chicago with his son, police said. His wife's cellphone and a hammer were found in his truck, Michigan police said.

As of Tuesday morning, more than $1,400 had been raised.

Kimberly Bogseth's body was discovered Sept. 9, about two blocks from the home she shared with her husband and son in a rural area after she was reported missing Sept. 1.

The search for Kimberly Bogseth, 32, went viral on Reddit after a series of Facebook posts by Brent Bogseth and other friends of the couple caught the attention of Internet sleuths who tried to determine whether she had left her family willingly or been harmed.

Brent Bogseth told his wife's friends and family that she left him and their son to move to California. He filed for divorce several days after police said he killed her, according to court documents.

Brent Bogseth's next court date is scheduled for Oct. 14, Michigan authorities said.

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