A Nebraska community has been left heartbroken after a family of four was found dead in what authorities are investigating as a triple murder-suicide.
At around 9:45AM on May 10, Nebraska State Patrol officers responded to a call at a home on Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon.
Inside, they discovered the bodies of Jeremy Koch, 42; his wife Bailey Koch, 41; and their sons Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16. All four were found in their beds with fatal knife wounds, and the weapon was located at the scene.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol, police believe Jeremy, who had a long history of severe mental health struggles, fatally stabbed his wife and children before taking his own life.
A Tragic Discovery
The horrific scene was discovered by Bailey’s parents, Lane and Peggy Kugler.
In a devastating Facebook post, they wrote: “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. What I saw will haunt me the rest of my life.”
Lane continued, explaining that Jeremy had “been fighting mental illness for many, many years. His depression had turned into psychosis. It was not Jeremy that committed this horrific act. It was a sick mind".
The tragedy struck just hours before Hudson was set to graduate from Cozad High School. According to a GoFundMe page Bailey had previously launched, Hudson had been planning to move to California to pursue a three-year bonsai apprenticeship, Law and Crime reported.
A Family Fighting for Mental Health Awareness
Jeremy and Bailey were reportedly high school sweethearts who had been together for over 25 years.
They were outspoken advocates for mental health, openly sharing their family’s journey on a Facebook page titled: Anchoring Hope for Mental Health.
Bailey, a teacher and writer, regularly contributed to the site Her View From Home, where she spoke candidly about supporting Jeremy through his battle with severe depression.
In a tribute, the page remembered Bailey as “a beloved friend, talented writer, and tireless mental health advocate,” saying she used “raw, unflinching truth-telling” to shine a light on the realities of mental illness.
Jeremy’s mental health struggles began as early as 2009, when he was diagnosed with severe depression. According to the GoFundMe post, he had survived at least four suicide attempts, including a devastating incident involving a semi-truck crash that left him with multiple severe injuries.
The family’s difficulties intensified in July 2023 when Jeremy could no longer work at their landscaping business. The financial pressure and mental toll forced Bailey to become the sole provider with her teacher’s salary.
In March 2024, Bailey wrote about waking up to Jeremy standing over her with a knife, saying, “Something is wrong.” She was able to talk him down and get him into a hospital. He later underwent treatments, including Electroconvulsive Therapy, which proved ineffective.
At one point, he was hospitalized for dehydration after refusing to eat or drink. “By not eating or drinking, Jeremy is slowly completing suicide,” Bailey wrote.
Just two days before the tragedy, Bailey posted a hopeful update: Jeremy had returned home but wasn’t reacting well to new medication. Still, she was optimistic about a new treatment option at a nearby hospital.
Community in Mourning
Cozad Community Schools issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy and confirming that the high school graduation would proceed as scheduled.
“Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community,” they said. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”
Support services and grief counseling were made available for students and staff. Holdrege Public Schools, where Bailey worked, also shared a statement describing her as “a passionate educator, a caring colleague, and a bright presence in the school community.”
Ongoing Investigation
The Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies for all four victims. The Nebraska State Patrol is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue, and the Dawson County Attorney.
In a statement, officials said: “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.”
As the post from Her View From Home concludes: “Bailey would be the first to tell you her story is not an easy one to hear. But the world needs it. We are honored to share it...As she liked to say, mental illness does not win. Hope does.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.