Family of 4 Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide on the Same Day of Son’s High School Graduation
The Nebraska State Patrol announced that a man is believed to have killed his wife and two children, before taking his own life, on May 10
A father, mother and their two teenage children are dead following what officials are calling an apparent murder-suicide in Nebraska on May 10
Jeremy Koch, 42, is believed to have killed his wife and two children before taking his own life, the Nebraska State Patrol said
His eldest son was set to graduate from high school on the same day the family was found dead
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.”
Amber Heard has more to celebrate this Mother’s Day, now that she’s officially a mom of three.
“Mother’s Day 2025 will be one I’ll never forget. This year, I am elated beyond words to celebrate the completion of the family I’ve strived to build for years,” Heard, 39, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, May 11. “Today, I officially share the news that I welcomed twins into the Heard gang.”
She added, “My daughter Agnes and my son Ocean are keeping my hands (and my heart) full.”
News broke in December 2024 that the actress was expecting again. She previously welcomed daughter Oonagh Paige via surrogate in 2021.
“When I had my first baby girl, Oonagh, four years ago, my world changed forever. I thought I couldn’t possibly burst with more joy,” Heard reflected on Sunday. “Well, now I am bursting times three!!! Becoming a mother by myself and on my own terms, despite my own fertility challenges, has been the most humbling experience of my life. I am eternally grateful that I was able to choose this responsibly and thoughtfully.”
Heard closed out her Instagram note with a message to other mothers.
“To all the moms, wherever you are today and however you got here, my dream family and I are celebrating with you,” she gushed.
Heard previously revealed that welcoming Oonagh, now 4, was “the beginning of the rest of my life.”
“Four years ago, I decided I wanted to have a child. I wanted to do it on my own terms,” she wrote via Instagram in July 2021. “I now appreciate how radical it is for us as women to think about one of the most fundamental parts of our destinies in this way. I hope we arrive at a point in which it’s normalized to not want a ring in order to have a crib.”
At the time, Heard stressed that she wanted to keep her family life out of the public eye despite her career as an actress.
“A part of me wants to uphold that my private life is none of anyone’s business. I also get that the nature of my job compels me to take control of this,” she added at the time. “My daughter was born on April 8, 2021. Her name is Oonagh Paige Heard. She’s the beginning of the rest of my life.”
Heard has since moved her brood to Spain, according to People.