Son’s graduation ends in tragedy – family of 4 murder-suicide
Authorities are looking into a tragic murder-suicide involving a family in Nebraska, which occurred on the day of their son’s high school graduation. This heartbreaking event has left many in shock. Stay tuned for more details on this situation.
On the morning of May 10, 2025, at approximately 9:45 AM, the Nebraska State Patrol received a call to respond to a residence in Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon. Upon their arrival, they discovered that all four individuals were deceased.
The individuals involved were Jeremy Koch, aged 42, and Bailey Koch, aged 41, along with their children, Hudson, who is 18, and 16-year-old Asher. Preliminary findings suggest that Jeremy is believed to have taken the lives of his wife and sons before ending his own.
Jeremy and Bailey created a Facebook page named Anchoring Hope to let those battling suicidal thoughts know they are not alone. Having been together for more than 25 years, they shared a deep bond. Tragically, all four individuals were discovered at the scene with knife injuries.
Not long before the heartbreaking event, on May 9th, his wife shared on Facebook, saying, ‘Although today was tough, with Jeremy battling suicidal thoughts throughout the day, he managed to work from around 7 to 1:30 before he became too tired to continue. He returned home to rest, and I’m incredibly proud of him for working as long as he did and accomplishing a few tasks on his list.’ She also expressed gratitude for the prayers and support from everyone.
Guess who I discovered! Just five days of proper hydration, nutrition, medication adjustments, therapies, and a little safety made such a difference…
Cozad Schools has learned about a heartbreaking situation that will profoundly impact our Cozad community. We are keeping everyone affected in our thoughts during this very challenging time.
Cozad Middle School will open its doors at 12:30 today to support students and staff who are grieving. The graduation ceremony for Cozad High School is still set for 4:00 pm today, and seniors are asked to arrive at the high school by 2:00 pm. We are grateful for the strength and support of our community as we unite in care and compassion.
They shared an update, stating, “Following yesterday’s unfortunate event, we recognize that some students might be facing challenges. The high school commons will be accessible for students today from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Our school staff and counselors will be present to offer support. Additionally, we will provide assistance for both students and staff when classes resume on Monday.”
The Dawson County Attorney has requested autopsies for all four family members, and the investigation is actively ongoing.
The Nebraska State Patrol is at the forefront of the investigation, receiving support from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue, and the Dawson County Attorney.
The Nebraska State Patrol, along with the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue, and the Dawson County Attorney, have expressed their heartfelt condolences to everyone in the various communities impacted by this incident.
If you or someone you care about is having thoughts of suicide, don’t hesitate to reach out by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org for support.
This is truly a tragic event. We are keeping the friends and family of those impacted in our thoughts and prayers.