Authorities are investigating a murder-suicide that left three people dead early Saturday morning in what police described as a domestic-related shooting spanning two Ohio communities.
According to investigators, 34-year-old Jacob E. Prichard fatally shot his wife, 33-year-old Jaymee M. Prichard, and her coworker, 25-year-old Jaime S. Gustitus, before taking his own life.
Police believe the violence began shortly before 2 a.m. in Sugarcreek Township, where neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots and glass breaking at a condominium on Honey Tree Place. Responding officers later determined that Gustitus had been shot inside her home.
Authorities said that around the same time, Jaymee Prichard was also killed, though investigators are still working to confirm when and where her death occurred.
Hours later, around 4 a.m., Jacob Prichard drove to the West Milton Municipal Building, parking in a safety exchange area. Police said he then opened the trunk of his car, where Jaymee’s body was found, and died by suicide. Officers discovered the scene about an hour later.
Chief Doyle Wright of the West Milton Police Department said detectives are still trying to determine the motive behind the shootings. “We believe this was a premeditated act, but we’re still piecing together what led to this sequence of events,” Wright said.
Investigators noted that all three individuals worked together at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and that the incident may have been fueled by rumors of a romantic relationship between Jaymee and Gustitus.
Friends and coworkers have described Jaymee as a caring mother and friendly neighbor, while Gustitus was remembered as a kind and energetic young woman.
The couple’s children are currently staying with relatives as the community mourns the loss of three lives in what police are calling a deeply tragic and senseless act of violence.