Bailey and Jeremy Koch had been publicly outspoken about the father’s mental health struggles
Warning: This article contains discussion of violence, mental health and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
An ‘incredibly beautiful’ family of four were found dead in an apparent triple murder-suicide, and several communities have since spoken out.
At around 9:45am on May 10, Nebraska State Patrol were called to a home at Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon.
Authorities discovered four people having passed away inside the property.
Those dead were identified as Jeremy Koch, 42, Bailey Koch, 41, and sons, Hudson, 18 and Asher, 16.
What have police said about the incident?
The results of a preliminary investigation is that Jeremy allegedly killed his sons and wife before taking his own life, a release by Nebraska State Patrol states.
All four members of the family were reportedly found with fatal knife wounds and the knife located at the scene.
Who were the Koch family?
A Facebook page details parents Jeremy and Bailey having established a page called Anchoring Hope for Mental Health. The high school sweethearts of over 25 years had been open about suicide publicly to help show others they’re ‘not alone’, alongside trying to raise awareness on the mental health crisis.
Indeed, a post shared by page Her View From Home details Bailey as being ‘a beloved friend, talented writer, and tireless mental health advocate’.
A longtime contributor to the page, Bailey opened up about her experiences while supporting her husband, Jeremy, who’s reported as having previously ‘survived multiple suicide attempts’.
“Bailey learned how to use words to paint a realistic picture of the complicated fight for mental health. She believed it was about much more than medication or therapy or walks for suicide prevention; Bailey believed change happens through raw, unflinching truth-telling. It’s why she invited us all into her family’s story, time and time again,” the page explains.
Praising the Koch family as ‘incredibly beautiful’, the page notes how Bailey used to call Jeremy her ‘hottie hubbie’ and how ‘brilliant’ and ‘bright’ the pair’s sons were.
One of the sons was reportedly set to graduate from Cozad Community Schools, and school took to Facebook to address the ‘tragic situation’.
The pair were advocates for honesty and openness surrounding mental health struggles (Facebook/ Anchoring Hope for Mental Health: Jeremy & Bailey)
What has the school community said about the incident?
A statement reads: “Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community. Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.
“Cozad Middle School will open at 12:30 today for grieving students and staff. The Cozad High School Graduation ceremony remains scheduled for 4:00 pm today. Seniors should report to the high school at 2:00 pm today.
“We appreciate the strength and support of our community as we come together in care, compassion and unity.”
In a follow-up post, it added: “In light of yesterday’s tragedy, we understand that some students may be experiencing some difficulties. The high school commons will be open for students this afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. We will have school staff and counselors available for support.
“We will also have support available for students and staff when school resumes on Monday.”
Holdrege Public Schools also addressed the news, stating the community is ‘grieving’ after ‘a tragic event that has deeply affected us all’.
“Our hearts are with everyone impacted,” its statement shared to Facebook continues. “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. We’re grateful for the strength and compassion of our community during this difficult time.”
One of the sons was set to graduate (Facebook/ Bailey Koch)
Where is the investigation up to?
The Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies of all four family members, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Nebraska State Patrol is leading the investigation, with Dawson County’s Sheriff’s Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue, and Dawson County Attorney also assisting.
Nebraska State Patrol’s release resolves: “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 Her View From Home post resolves: “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 we grieve, we know Bailey would want just that one thing from us—to keep sharing her story. To speak for her, because of her. We’ll let her words on mental health and perseverance and faith be her legacy.
“As she liked to say, mental illness does not win. Hope does.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Son’s graduation day ends in tragedy as family of 4 die in apparent murder-suicide
Nebraska State Patrol said a man is believed to have killed his wife and two sons before taking his own life
Warning: This article contains discussion of violence and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Police are investigating an apparent triple murder-suicide of a Nebraska family who were discovered on the day of one son’s high school graduation.
On May 10, at around 9.45am, Nebraska State Patrol were called to a home at Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon.
They arrived to find four people dead – all later identified as residents of the home and named as Jeremy Koch, 42, Bailey Koch, 41, and sons, Hudson, 18 and Asher, 16.
The results of a preliminary investigation is that Jeremy allegedly killed his sons and wife before taking his own life, a release by Nebraska State Patrol states.
A Facebook page details parents Jeremy and Bailey having established a community called Anchoring Hope for Mental Health – the high school sweethearts of over 25 years having been open about suicide publicly to help show others they’re ‘not alone,’ alongside trying to raise awareness of the mental health crisis.
All four members of the family were reportedly found with fatal knife wounds and the knife located at the scene.
One of the sons was reportedly set to graduate from Cozad Community Schools, the school taking to Facebook to address the ‘tragic situation’.
A statement reads: “Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community. Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.
“Cozad Middle School will open at 12:30 today for grieving students and staff. The Cozad High School Graduation ceremony remains scheduled for 4:00 pm today. Seniors should report to the high school at 2:00 pm today.
“We appreciate the strength and support of our community as we come together in care, compassion and unity.”
In a follow-up post, it added: “In light of yesterday’s tragedy, we understand that some students may be experiencing some difficulties. The high school commons will be open for students this afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. We will have school staff and counselors available for support.
“We will also have support available for students and staff when school resumes on Monday.”
The Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies of all four family members and the investigation remains ongoing.
Nebraska State Patrol is leading the investigation with Dawson County’s Sheriff’s Offie, Eustis Fire & Rescue and Dawson County Attorney also assisting.
Nebraska State Patrol’s release resolves: “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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Dad shares the heartbreaking subtle warning signs he missed before his son died by suicide
A father who lost his son to suicide has shared the subtle warning signs that he missed ahead of the tragedy.
Georgia father Ben Pargman has spoken of the anguish and regret he feels following the suicide of his son, Ari ‘Manny’ Pargman, on December 4, 2024, only four months after he began his college career.
Following Manny’s death, Ben has called for parents to speak to their children about suicide as he had missed any signs.
He noted that his son’s childhood, in Sandy Springs , was filled with family, friends, school, sports, music and summer camp.
Speaking to local media, he even recalled a memory from Thanksgiving just gone where he saw his son appear in good spirits.
He said: “I remember this Thanksgiving, just a couple months ago. There was a kids’ table and I walked out and Manny had everyone doubled over laughing. I don’t know what the joke was but he was just a fun, fun kid.”
Reflecting on it, the father said he now recognizes his son would project an image on the outside to mask the mental anguish he was feeling inside.
He continued: “He was dealing with some pretty troubling stuff — and one of his ways of managing that was to be happy and excited and cover it up.”
Ben then noted how he believes he missed what he would call warning signs:
- He had lost weight
- He was sleeping a lot
- He started skipping social gatherings with friends
Ben reiterated the importance of speaking to children about suicide, and insisted the potential alternatives are considerably worse.
He said: “Just have the conversation. Just start it, trip over yourself and it’s ok. It’s ok to say, ‘Hey, I’m just checking in with you. Have you had thoughts of committing suicide?’
“And yeah, that’s awkward and difficult. But I promise you, it’s less awkward and difficult than going to your child’s funeral.
“I can’t do anything to help Manny. I was naive. I was ignorant. I didn’t know. And I missed it. And I don’t think it had to go that way, if I knew more than I knew.”
Mental health experts have also stressed the importance of parents talking to their children about suicide and mental health.
Kevin Tanner, the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, said: “There’s been a misnomer. That talking about suicide will increase the likelihood that someone will commit suicide and that’s just not correct. It’s up to us to talk to our children about suicide.”
Following his death, Manny’s family has started a foundation for proactive suicide prevention called ‘Manny’s Band’, a play off his love for music.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
Everything we know as police issue major update on Madeleine McCann after finding evidence which ‘indicates she’s dead’
Christian Brueckner is the main suspect in the case, but no charges have been brought against him
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse and rape which some readers may find distressing
An investigation has revealed what evidence was discovered at a property owned by the main suspect in Madeleine McCann’s case in 2016.
On May 3, 2007, a three-year-old girl from Britain named Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday apartment complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
A Europe-wide police investigation was immediately launched, but over 15 years on, it’s still not been ascertained what happened to her.
Several years ago, a man named Christian Brueckner was named the prime suspect in Madeleine’s case after a dog led authorities to a suspected grave on the side of disused factory he owned in Neuwegersleben, central Germany. Brueckner has repeatedly denied any involvement.
An investigation by the Sun has now revealed what evidence was allegedly discovered.
Evidence discovered at Christian Brueckner’s property
The grave was reportedly found to contain the remains of Brueckner’s deceased dog, alongside a wallet with six USB sticks and two memory cards inside.
Brueckner allegedly bought the disused factory the year after Madeleine’s disappearance.
Alongside the technological devices, children’s clothes, including over 70 children’s swimming costumes, and toys, as well as masks, chemicals, and three guns and ammunition were reportedly found.
Christian Brueckner is the main suspect in Madeleine McCann’s case but no charges have been brought against him (Carabinieri Milano via Getty Images)
What was allegedly discovered on Brueckner’s USB and hard drive devices?
The USB and hard drives devices reportedly contain highly disturbing material confirming Brueckner’s alleged obsession with kidnapping children, records of Skype chats with paedophiles talking about children, and shocking child abuse images.
Written stories were also allegedly discovered, describing drugging a mom and daughter and abusing a four-year-old girl.
A photograph of Brueckner also allegedly links him to a location close to where Madeleine vanished.
It’s reported images found on the devices are ‘crucial’ evidence Madeleine likely died shortly after she went missing.
Months after the search was conducted in 2016, Brueckner was arrested and convicted of child abuse – unconnected to Madeleine’s case.
Madeleine McCann went missing at the age of three
Previous cases against Brueckner
After images were discovered on his laptop, in February, 2016, Brueckner was convicted for abusing a five-year-old girl in a park. He went on the run but was then arrested in September, 2018 in Italy and extradited to Germany the next year.
In December, 2019, after his DNA was matched to the crime scene, Brueckner was found guilty of the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005 and sentenced to seven years – a sentence he is still currently serving.
He was later named as a suspect in Madeleine’s case in 2020, with German prosecutors stating for the first time they believe the missing girl is no longer alive.
However, in October 2024, Brueckner was cleared of carrying out five sex offences in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 and prosecutors also haven’t charged him in relation to Madeleine’s case.
The Sun’s full investigation airs on Channel 4 at 9pm (GMT) today (May 7).
UNILAD has contacted Brueckner’s representative for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
Elderly couple will be asked three mandatory questions before choosing to die in double suicide pod
Peter and Christine Scott want to end their lives on their terms
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
An elderly couple who have chosen to die together in a controversial ‘suicide pod’ will answer three questions before the process begins.
Peter and Christine Scott, from the UK, became the first British couple to sign up to using the pod after Christine, 80, was diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia.
They are planning to travel to Switzerland to follow through with their wishes, ending their lives in a double ‘suicide pod’ invented by Dr Philip Nitschke.
Nitschke is also the founder of Exit International; a company which provides ‘information and education about practical DIY end of life choices to rational adults’.
The Sarco pod is designed to offer adults of sound mind an alternative to existing legal assisted dying methods, though it has sparked controversy from authorities.
A letter obtained by the Swiss newspaper Blick from Public Prosecutor Peter Stiche claimed that there could be ‘serious consequences’ for operators of the pod, saying: “There is no reliable information about the method of killing.
“[It is] completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process.”
However, Dr Nitschke argued: “We believe that it is the fundamental human right of every adult of sound mind, to be able to plan for the end of their life in a way that is reliable, peaceful & at a time of their choosing.”
Should Peter and Christine go ahead with their plans, they would be asked with three questions upon entering the pod.
Dr Nitschke told the MailOnline that every user would be asked the same questions, namely: ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’ and ‘Do you know what happens if you press the button?’
The inventor further explained: “If they answer those questions verbally, the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed.
“And if they press the button they will die very quickly.
“When you climb into Sarco the oxygen level is 21% but after you press the button it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen to drop to less than one per cent.”
According to Exit International, the pod is designed to ‘produce a rapid decrease in oxygen level, while maintaining a low CO2 level’. The company claims these are the conditions for a ‘peaceful, even euphoric death’.
Peter and Christine have acknowledged that they have had ‘long, happy’ lives, but they do not want to experience the ‘slow degradation of Chris’s mental abilities’.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Peter said: “Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life.
“Assisted dying gives her that opportunity and I would not want to go on living without her.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Featured Image Credit: Exit International/Janina Steinmetz via Getty
