A Nebraska dad who had been struggling with mental health issues stabbed his entire family to death before killing himself the day of his son's high school graduation, police said.
Jeremy Koch, 42, killed each of his sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, and his wife, Bailey, 41, before taking his own life, Nebraska police said in a statement. All four died of stab wounds. Police found the bodies after responding to a call at 9:45 a.m.
Bailey Koch had documented in social media posts the family's efforts to help Jeremy Koch, who was grappling with mental health issues and suicidal ideations.
On May 8, she wrote, "I wish I had better news, as Jeremy was so happy to be released from the mental health hospital yesterday to go home in time for our oldest son's high school graduation on Saturday. But it appears Jeremy is reacting negatively to our attempt with a new mental health med..."
Two days later, the entire family would be dead.
Bailey Koch was a special education teacher at Holdrege Public Schools: "Our Holdrege school community is grieving after a tragic event that has deeply affected us all," the district wrote in a statement.
Hudson and Asher each attended high school at Cozad Community Schools. Hudson had been set to graduate on Saturday.
"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," the district said in a statement on Saturday. "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 p.m. today."
In the social media posts, Bailey writes May 8 about "another medication failure" and her husband's struggles with suicidal thoughts. She writes that the family plans to try Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
"I will not take him immediately back to the mental health hospital because missing his son's high school graduation would be more detrimental to his mental health. Instead, I will rearrange schedules and talk to our support system and ensure Jeremy is around other people and being checked on throughout the day while I'm at work," she wrote.
On May 9, in her final post, she talked about taking the first steps for Jeremy to receive TMS treatment.
"We spent over an hour going through every aspect of our 16 year journey of ups, downs, failures, fears, and celebrations related to Hottie Hubby's suicidal ideations, attempts, and hospitalizations," she wrote on May 9. "We feel heard, seen, and supported. We feel confident TMS in Kearney at Serene Mental Health is where we are being led. Please pray for insurance approval and that we can get started ASAP."
