On May 10, a tragic event struck Dawson County, Nebraska. Jeremy Koch, 42, allegedly fatally stabbed his wife, Bailey, 41, and their sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, before taking his own life—on the same day Hudson was to graduate from high school.

Authorities found all four deceased at the family’s home, along with the suspected murder weapon. Cozad High School Superintendent Dan Endorf described graduation day as “bittersweet,” as the community mourned the shocking loss of a seemingly close-knit family.

Bailey’s parents expressed heartbreak and blamed a broken mental health system. Jeremy had battled mental illness since at least 2009, including multiple psychiatric episodes and suicide attempts.

Bailey had publicly shared their struggles to reduce stigma, hoping to help others. In early 2024, she warned that Jeremy’s mental health had worsened, recalling a March incident where she awoke to him holding a knife over her. Despite her warnings, “the system failed to intervene.”

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating, with autopsies underway. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for mental health reform and better access to care, as the Cozad community faces deep grief and unanswered questions.