Family of 4 Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide on the Same Day of Son's High School Graduation

A family of four in Nebraska was found dead following what authorities are calling an apparent murder-suicide.

On Saturday, May 10, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a home at Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon #1 at around 9:45 a.m. local time. Authorities found a family of four dead at the scene from “fatal knife wounds,” the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) announced in a news release.

After a preliminary investigation, police believe 42-year-old Jeremy Koch killed both of his sons — Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16 — and his 41-year-old wife, Bailey, before taking his own life. The NSP also said a knife was discovered at the scene.

The agency is now leading a homicide investigation, which remains ongoing, and the Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies for the four family members.

“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,” the NSP said in a statement.

According to local outlet News Channel Nebraska and Bailey’s Facebook page, she was a special education teacher at Holdrege Public Schools. The school district wrote in a statement, “Our hearts are with everyone impacted [by] a tragic event that has deeply affected us all.”

“Holdrege Middle School will be open today from 3:00–5:00 p.m. for students and staff who wish to gather, grieve and support one another,” the district added. “We’re grateful for the strength and compassion of our community during this difficult time.”

Cozad Community Schools, which News Channel Nebraska reported is the district where the two boys went to high school, also shared a message on Facebook, extending “thoughts” to “all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.” They also offered support for students and staff.

While no further details have been released regarding the homicide investigation, News Channel Nebraska reported that Bailey launched a since-removed fundraiser on GoFundMe days before her death, titled “Jeremy’s Battle: Mental Health Support Needed,” in which she detailed years of Jeremy’s struggles with depression.

In the description, per the outlet, Bailey wrote that her husband was diagnosed in 2009 and that his condition worsened in 2024. She added that in March, she awoke to her husband standing over her with a knife and got him to agree to treatment and electroconvulsive therapy. In a Facebook update on Thursday, May 8, Bailey wrote that her husband had been accepted into a mental health facility and that he “understands it’s because we love him so much.”

“Our boys are doing well living their lives, and for that, we are thankful,” she wrote at the time. “Please just pray Jeremy is able to somehow be with us Saturday for our oldest son’s high school graduation. We love you all. And THANK YOU for supporting and sharing our story.”

Dozens of community members shared prayers and condolences underneath the school district’s recent posts, before the district posted footage of Saturday’s Cozad High School commencement ceremony on YouTube. During the ceremony, superintendent Dr. Dan Endorf reminded attendees that the community and senior class “experienced a tragedy within the past few hours.”

“The bittersweet emotions felt by the senior class on their graduation day, and by this entire gymnasium for that matter, cannot be concealed in this moment,” he said, encouraging graduates to “hug your loved ones.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.