A Nebraska community is in shock after a family of four died on the morning of a high school graduation. The tragedy happened just hours before 18-year-old Hudson Koch was due to graduate. What should have been a day of celebration became a day of deep grief.
Hudson, his 16-year-old brother Asher, and their parents, Bailey and Jeremy Koch, were found dead in their home near Johnson Lake. The Nebraska State Patrol says the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide. Police believe Jeremy killed his wife and sons before taking his own life. All four were found in their beds.
Family members said Jeremy had struggled for many years with severe mental illness, including depression and psychosis. He had been released from a mental health facility just days earlier. Relatives said they believe his actions were driven by illness, not who he truly was.
Bailey Koch was a teacher and a strong advocate for mental health awareness. She and her husband had shared their struggles publicly to help others feel less alone. Local schools provided counseling and support for students and staff, and the graduation ceremony went ahead with care. The community is now mourning and calling for greater understanding and support for mental health during times of crisis.