The wife of a Nebraska man suspected of murdering his family pleaded for mental health support for her husband days before she and her two sons were killed.
Jeremy Koch, 42, is accused of fatally stabbing his wife, Bailey, 41, and their sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, before taking his own life at their Dawson County home, the Nebraska State Patrol confirmed Saturday, according to FOX News.
A few days before the incident, Bailey Koch created the GoFundMe page,“Jeremy’s Battle: Mental Health Support Needed,” provided a candid account of the family’s long-standing struggle with Jeremy’s depression.
Bailey disclosed that Jeremy was diagnosed with severe depression in 2009 and had survived several suicide attempts, including a nearly fatal car crash.
“When he awoke,” she wrote, “he was shattered that his attempt hadn’t worked.”
Bailey noted that they lived “in the dark,” hiding their difficulties while trying to maintain a stable life running a landscaping business in their small town. She worked as a teacher while Jeremy managed the business—until last year.
By July 2024, Jeremy’s condition significantly worsened. He struggled to get out of bed, stopped working regularly, and the family’s income declined. They withdrew from retirement accounts to cover debt.
In her last update on May 8, Bailey reported that Jeremy had been discharged from inpatient care and was home in time for Hudson’s high school graduation, set for Saturday.
However, by the next morning, Jeremy had already started to spiral once more after beginning a new medication.
News Channel Nebraska reports that Bailey’s school district, Holdrege Public Schools, where she worked as a special education teacher, released a statement Saturday expressing their sadness.
“Our Holdrege school community is mourning after a tragic event that has profoundly affected us all. Our hearts are with those impacted.”
Cozad Community Schools also opened its doors for students and staff, as Hudson was preparing to graduate and Asher was a freshman on the golf team.
If you are a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
[Feature Photo: Koch Family/Facebook]
