• Nebraska father’s mental health struggles led to a tragic murder-suicide killing his family.
• The family died hours before their eldest son’s high school graduation.
• Bailey Koch publicly shared her husband’s long battle with severe depression before the tragedy.

A small town in Nebraska faced a shocking tragedy during Mother’s Day weekend. Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his entire family and then took his own life. The family included his wife Bailey, 41, and their two sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16. Police found their bodies in their rural home in Dawson County. The news devastated the community. The heartbreaking event happened just hours before Hudson’s high school graduation, a milestone he was set to celebrate.

Father Jeremy Koch Took the Lives of His Wife and Sons Before Ending His Own Life

Authorities confirmed that Jeremy stabbed Bailey and their sons before killing himself. Neighbors and friends struggled to understand what led to such violence. This quiet family had shown signs of deep struggles. The eldest son, Hudson, was supposed to walk across the stage that Saturday to receive his diploma. Instead, the day became a moment of sorrow for everyone who knew the Koch family.

Wife Bailey Publicly Shared Husband’s Severe Mental Health Battle Days Before the Tragedy

In the days before the murder-suicide, Bailey made a public plea for help with Jeremy’s mental health. She created a GoFundMe page titled “Jeremy’s Battle: Mental Health Support Needed.” Although the page is now removed, it showed how desperate Bailey felt. She wrote her message during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Bailey said she wanted to raise awareness about Jeremy’s long struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts. Her words reveal the pain the family faced behind closed doors.

Jeremy Struggled with Mental Illness for Over a Decade, Including Multiple Suicide Attempts

Bailey revealed that Jeremy first tried to kill himself back in 2009. Since then, he tried multiple times to end his life. His depression worsened last year, and he became unable to get out of bed without help. Bailey described how Jeremy stopped eating and drinking, slowly harming himself. Their family’s finances also suffered as Jeremy’s landscaping business dried up. This added more stress and hardship to an already fragile situation.

Bailey Faced a Terrifying Moment When Jeremy Threatened Her with a Knife

Bailey shared that in March, she woke to find Jeremy standing over her with a knife. She stayed calm and talked him down. Then, she convinced him to seek inpatient mental health treatment. This was his fourth hospitalization for mental illness. Bailey’s courage helped prevent a worse tragedy at that moment, but unfortunately, the pain continued. She also said Jeremy had undergone electroconvulsive therapy, but it failed to improve his condition. Jeremy’s mental health deteriorated further, leaving him a “shell of himself,” as Bailey put it.

Bailey Pleaded for Awareness About Mental Health and the Crisis It Causes Families

Bailey’s online plea showed how much she suffered watching Jeremy’s illness take over their lives. She wrote, “I have no pride left.” She begged the public to “open your eyes and see the reality that is this society’s mental health crisis.” Her message reflected the despair and helplessness many families feel when a loved one battles severe depression. The Koch family’s story highlights the urgent need for mental health support in communities everywhere.

Jeremy Was Released from Hospital to Attend Son’s Graduation, Adding Tragic Irony to the Event

Despite his serious condition, Jeremy was released from the hospital last week. The release was so he could attend Hudson’s graduation ceremony. This heartbreaking decision adds to the tragedy. Instead of celebrating their son’s achievement, the family’s day ended in loss and grief. Bailey worked as a special education teacher at Holdrege Public Schools, where the community felt the impact deeply.