Tragedy struck the US Air Force community as three service members were discovered dead in what authorities suspect to be a murder-suicide incident.
Authorities believe that 34-year-old Jacob Prichard fatally shot his wife, Jaymee Prichard, aged 33, along with 25-year-old Lieutenant Jaime Gustitus, before ending his own life on Saturday morning.
The grim news was confirmed by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, with local law enforcement indicating that the case is being treated as a murder-suicide.
Efforts are underway by media outlets, including the Daily Mail, to obtain further details from both the air force base and local police officials.
West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright shared with WHIO TV that a local resident in Sugarcreek Township alerted police after hearing a loud noise from a neighbor’s home at approximately 2 a.m.
“The glass door shattered. I think they shattered her door,” the caller reported, according to WHIO TV.
The witness looked outside and saw a man, who police said was Jacob.
‘I opened up my back door, and he said he had a gun (and) to get back in my house. And he hopped off their patio and left,’ the caller said.
Three members of the US Air Force have been found dead in what police have called a suspected murder suicide. Jacob Prichard, 34, is believed to have killed his wife, Jaymee Prichard, 33, and Lieutenant Jaime Gustitus, 25. (Pictured: The Prichards)
Pictured: Lieutenant Jaime Gustitus, 25, on the right. Police said she was killed on Saturday
Police told WHIOTV that Jacob had just killed Gustitus in her apartment at this point. They added that Jacob also killed Jaymee, but did not disclose how or where.
Hours later, at 4am, Jacob pulled up to his workplace and parked outside. He opened the trunk of his car and shot himself on camera, per WHIOTV.
Police said Jaymee’s body was found in the trunk of the car, and that they believe her husband wanted people to find her there.
The Prichards lived in Huber Heights just north of Dayton, close to Cincinnati. They have three children, social media shows.
Police said they don’t think the children witnessed any of the horror. A motive is yet to be determined.
Gustitus was a lieutenant working in 711th Human Performance Wing, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson.
The Prichards have three children together in Huber Heights, social media shows
The Prichards lived in Huber Heights just north of Dayton, close to Cincinnati in Ohio
The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio has confirmed their deaths, while police have told local media outlets it was a murder suicide
The Prichards worked at the same base as civilian employees, Jaymee at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and Prichard at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
‘We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected,’ Lt Gen Linda Hurry, Deputy Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, said in a statement.
‘We stand with them as they navigate this unimaginable pain, and we offer our sincerest condolences to all impacted by this heartbreaking loss.
‘We are committed to fully investigating this incident and ensuring the families and co-workers of the victims receive the support they need during this difficult time.’
This is a breaking news story with updates to follow.
