Dad fatally stabs wife, children, to death hours before son's graduation
Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his wife and two sons just days after he was released from a mental health hospital with his partner's family decrying blaming his "sick mind" for the crime
A dad stabbed his entire family to death before turning the knife on himself just hours before his eldest son was due to celebrate his graduation.
Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his wife Bailey, 41, and sons Hudson and Asher, aged 18 and 16 respectively, before turning the blade on himself on Saturday. Police with the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, in Nebraska, were dispatched to the home in rural Johnson Lake, about 172 miles west of the city of Lincoln, and found four bodies inside the property. All members of the family were found with stab wounds, according to police. The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) said in a statement that it is believed Koch "killed each of his sons...and his wife...before taking his own life." A knife was found at the scene.
Koch is understood to have fatally stabbed members of his family and turning the knife on himself just three days after he was released from a mental health hospital. The NSP said a homicide investigation is being carried out to learn the circumstances of the events leading up to the killing.
Lane and Peggy Kugler, the dad and mother of Bailey and the grandparents of the two children shared a heartfelt Facebook tribute, which can be viewed in full here, to her daughter and about Koch's history with mental illness. They added: "Jeremy had been fighting mental illness for many, many years. His depression had turned into psychosis. It was not Jeremy that committed this horrific act. It was a sick mind.
"Bailey, Jeremy and the boy's faith was very strong. It really helped them through the worst of times. We find strength in our belief that heaven now has four new angels sitting at the right hand of God. They are together and Jeremy's sickness is gone.
"Bailey fought so hard to help him and she and her sons lived in fear of the possibility of losing her husband and their father to mental illness for many years. They never knew when he would be in a manic state (super high) or horribly depressed (super low), unable to function normally.
"Bailey fought so hard to bring attention to those who needed help. She was a huge advocate for mental health. She spent countless hours on their Facebook page, Anchoring Hope for Mental Health: Jeremy & Bailey Koch. If you go to that page, you can read about how so many people thanked her for her open and honest writing about mental health."
The couple continued: "Bailey and Jeremy spent years and years seeking help and answers to Jeremy's condition. Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, medication after medication, therapy after therapy. Treatment after treatment.
"What we have learned through all of this is that every single person in the mental health care industry try so hard to help people. Every single one of them genuinely cares for those that need help. From those at the front desk, to the doctors that prescribe treatment, to the nurses that carry out doctor's orders, to the custodians that keep things clean and useful."
They then railed against the state of mental health in the US, branding it "a catastrophe" and "getting worse." According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2022 there were an estimated 15.4 million adults aged 18 or older in the US with serious mental illness. In 2022, Nebraska recorded 73 homicides across the state, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hudson had been due to graduate from Cozad High School, which happened on Saturday afternoon, just hours after the killing. A statement shared by the school district on Sunday said: "In light of yesterday's tragedy, we understand that some students may be experiencing some difficulties. The high school commons will be open for students this afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. We will have school staff and counsellors available for support. We will also have support available for students and staff when school resumes on Monday."
"The investigation remains ongoing," NSP added. "The Nebraska State Patrol, the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue, and the Dawson County Attorney extend condolences to all, across multiple communities, who will be affected by this incident."
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