A family of four in Nebraska was discovered dead after what authorities are calling an apparent murder-suicide.
On Saturday, May 10, around 9:45 a.m. local time, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a home in Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon #1. Authorities discovered a family of four dead at the scene from “fatal knife wounds,” according to a Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) news release.
According to preliminary findings, police believe 42-year-old Jeremy Koch murdered both of his sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, as well as his 41-year-old wife, Bailey, before killing himself. The NSP also reported that a knife was discovered at the scene.
The agency is now leading a homicide investigation, which is still ongoing, and the Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies for all 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,” according to a statement issued by the NSP.
Bailey worked as a special education teacher at Holdrege Public Schools, according to local news outlet News Channel Nebraska and her personal Facebook page. The school district said 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 school’s announcement stated. “We’re grateful for the strength and compassion of our community during this difficult time.”
Cozad Community Schools, which News Channel Nebraska reported is where the two boys attended high school, also posted a message on Facebook, extending “thoughts” to “all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.” They also offered assistance to students and staff.
While no additional information about the homicide investigation has been released, News Channel Nebraska reported that Bailey launched a now-defunct GoFundMe fundraiser titled “Jeremy’s Battle: Mental Health Support Needed,” in which she detailed years of Jeremy’s depression struggles.
According to the outlet, Bailey described her husband’s diagnosis in 2009 and how his condition worsened in 2024. She also stated that in March, she awoke to her husband standing over her with a knife and convinced him to agree to treatment and electroconvulsive therapy.
On Thursday, May 8, Bailey posted on Facebook 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 in their lives, for which we are grateful,” she wrote at the time. “Please pray that Jeremy is able to join us on 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 left prayers and condolences under the school district’s recent posts, before the district uploaded footage of Saturday’s Cozad High School commencement ceremony to YouTube.
During the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Dan Endorf reminded attendees that the community and senior class had “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. He urged graduates to “hug your loved ones.”
