Man Told Girlfriend He Was Going Home for Dinner, Then Killed His Parents and Sister

An Oklahoma man has been sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder convictions after confessing to killing his family at their shared home. 

Jacob Mayhugh, 22, avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty in connection with the Chickasha triple-murder of his mother and father, Patty and James Mayhugh, and his sister, Shayla Mayhugh, local news stations KOCO-TV, OKC FOX and KFOR reported Monday, Dec. 23.

Court records state that Jacob was sentenced without the possibility of parole.

The family was found dead of gunshot wounds at their residence on the morning of May 11. According to KOCO-TV, Jacob was found after a multi-day manhunt.

Authorities said that Jacob planned the murders, and purchased a rifle on April 25, KFOR reported. The outlet added that at least two AR-style magazines loaded with ammunition were recovered from Jacob’s vehicle at the time of his arrest, as well as a wallet and $750 in cash.

In addition to killing his family, prosecutors believed Jacob may have committed other violent crimes: Court documents state “the plan of the defendant, as detailed in his interview, was to commit additional acts of violence,” KOCO-TV reported.

According to the outlet, the 22-year-old had no prior criminal record. 

An affidavit previously obtained by the local news stations stated that Jacob left his girlfriend’s house, saying he was going to have dinner with his family.

Citing court documents, KOCO-TV reported that Jacob then turned off his cell phone and deactivated his Facebook profile the night he killed his family.

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In a GoFundMe organized by the Mayhughs’ cousin Brandon Burnett, Burnett said the family had endured an “unimaginable tragedy.”