The quiet city of Cozad is in mourning after a devastating murder-suicide of a well-known family of four. Authorities say that, on Saturday, four members of the Koch family were found dead in their home. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Cozad community. The tragic murder-suicide incident is currently under investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Murder Suicide: Family of Four Found Dead in Home
Deputies responded to a house near Johnson Lake, where four people were dead from apparent stab wounds. Per the release, “This morning at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence at Johnson Lake, Plum Creek Canyon #1. Upon arrival, deputies found four deceased individuals inside the residence. All four were residents of the home.”
The bodies of the murder-suicide were identified as Jermey, 42, Bailey, 41, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16. Here are some photos of the Koch family. Said in the press release, “It is believed that Jermey Koch killed each of his sons and his wife before taking his own life.” The victims were found with apparent fatal stab wounds. A knife was found at the murder-suicide crime scene, and the bodies were found on the same day Hudson was set to graduate from high school.
Autopsies Incoming
The Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies for all four family members. In a statement, the Nebraska State Patrol said, “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.” Bailey was a special education teacher at Holdrege Public Schools.
Final Thoughts
Lane and Peggy Kugler, Bailey’s parents, said Jermey battled with his mental health for years and that he was seeking help. On their joint Facebook page, the parents wrote, “Jermey had been fighting mental illness for many, many years. His depression had turned into psychosis. It was not Jeremy who committed this horrific act. It was a sick mind.” Jermey had been released from the hospital on Thursday before the family’s deaths, and signed paperwork for mental health treatment on Friday. In other news, an ex-Proud Boy leader recently met with Trump at Mar-A-Lago. The investigations into the deaths are ongoing by the Nebraska State Patrol.
