Dad Dies 2 Weeks After Random Stranger Nearly Decapitated Him in Hatchet Attack at Quiet Bus Stop

• Jacob Couch was struck with a hatchet while waiting at a Tucson, Ariz., bus stop on April 5
• His sister-in-law Erica Sims revealed that he died on April 17 following the attack
• Daniel Michael, 25, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder

Alabama father Jacob Couch has died almost two weeks after he was nearly decapitated in a hatchet attack in Arizona, his family has confirmed.

Couch, 32, died at 8:58 p.m. local time on Thursday, April 17, after being on life support at the University Medical Center Tucson, his sister-in-law Erica Sims confirmed to KGUN 9 News. She added that Couch developed pneumonia and his “heart gave out,” according to the outlet and KOLD News 13.

Couch was struck in the back of the neck with a hatchet while waiting at a Tucson bus stop with his wife at 10:00 a.m. on April 5. Daniel Michael, 25, was arrested and charged in connection with the attack three days later, according to the Tucson Police Department.

Couch’s wife Kristen also confirmed his death as she reposted reports about the attack on Facebook on Friday, April 18. 

In a later post, Kristen shared several photos of herself and Couch together. “Most of these pictures are from when we were in our early 20s. I can’t believe we made it 11 years. I always thought we would have so many more,” she wrote in her caption.

“I’ll love you forever and always,” she continued. “Please hold our sweet baby so tight until I can be with you again 🩵 I know Jake tried to fight. We could all see it, but now I think that may have been what little closure he could give us before he left this world.”

“Thank you to everyone who has prayed and held our family close to your heart … In the next few days we’ll be making arrangements to get Jake back home and will let everyone know as soon as we know more about funeral arrangements,” Kristen concluded.

Kristen and her husband moved to Los Angeles from their hometown of Arab, Ala., after she had a miscarriage with their son in 2024. The couple had two daughters from previous relationships, local newspaper AZ Central reported. 

The pair were on their way back to Alabama after living in L.A. for 10 months when the attack happened, per KGUN.

Kristen said she and her husband were approached by the attacker, who yelled at them as they waited at the bus stop. “I told the man we’re leaving, and my husband bent down to, I guess, like, get our stuff, and he just came up behind him [and swung at him with the hatchet] and walked away,” she told KGUN.

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Pima County inmate records reviewed by PEOPLE show that Michael is in custody and being held on a $2 million cash bond.

Michael was initially charged with aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument and causing serious physical injury. His charges have been amended to first-degree murder, police said.