A Nebraska father stabbed his entire family to death and then turned the knife on himself the same day as his oldest son’s high school graduation, authorities said – and just three days after he was released from a mental health hospital.
Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his 41-year-old wife, Bailey, and sons Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, in a sickening stabbing spree Saturday before taking his own life in a rural part of Dawson County, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
The gruesome scene of the apparent murder-suicide was discovered by Bailey’s parents around 9:45 a.m. All four family members suffered from fatal knife wounds, police said.
“I found our two grandsons, Hudson 18, and Asher 16, and our daughter Bailey, and our son-in-law Jeremy, dead laying in their beds,” Lane and Peggy Kugler, the father and mother of Bailey and grandparents of the two boys, said in a Facebook post, according to News Channel Nebraska.
“What I saw will haunt me the rest of my life.”
The tragedy comes amid Jeremy’s longtime struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, which was chronicled by Bailey, a teacher, on a dedicated Facebook page.
She wrote on the “Anchoring Hope for Mental Health” page Wednesday that Jeremy had wrapped up a five-day stint receiving mental health care at a hospital with a photo of the couple smiling in a car.
“What a difference five days, some hydration and nutrition, med adjustments, therapies, and a safety plan can make!!!” Bailey Koch eerily wrote.
“Thank you for praying and for your unwavering support as I take Hottie Hubby HOME in time for our son’s high school graduation! We still need lots of prayers as we try and carry on with life and find our new ‘normal.’”
Still, in the days leading up to the suspected murder-suicide, the father of two continued to struggle, according to his wife’s recent social media posts.
Hudson was set to receive his diploma at Cozad High School’s graduation — which went on without the teen Saturday afternoon, just hours after the horrific slaughter.
“Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community,” the school district wrote. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”
Bailey Koch was remembered as a “passionate educator, caring colleague and bright presence in the school community,” by Holdrege Public Schools, where she worked, according to NTV.
Jeremy and Bailey were high school sweethearts and together for at least 25 years, according to the Facebook page.
In a since-deleted GoFundMe page, Bailey said her husband this month had survived numerous suicide attempts that included a car crash that nearly killed him.
“When he awoke,” she wrote, according to News Channel Nebraska, “he was destroyed his attempt hadn’t worked.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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