West Milton, Ohio — Authorities are investigating a horrific murder-suicide that left three people dead, including a husband, his wife, and a coworker, in what police are calling a “deeply disturbing and complex case.”
According to law enforcement officials, 34-year-old Jacob E. Prichard killed his wife, 33-year-old Jaymee M. Prichard, and a coworker, 25-year-old Jaime S. Gustitus of Sugarcreek Township, before taking his own life early Saturday morning.
Investigators say the tragedy began around 2 a.m., when Jacob Prichard went to Gustitus’ apartment in the 1600 block of Honey Tree Place in Sugarcreek Township. He reportedly broke into the residence and fatally shot Gustitus. It remains unclear when Jaymee Prichard was killed, but police believe her death occurred prior to Jacob’s arrival at the West Milton Municipal Building.
At approximately 4:22 a.m., security footage shows Jacob arriving at the municipal building parking lot, where he exited his vehicle, opened the trunk — revealing his wife’s body — and then turned the gun on himself. A handgun was found next to him at the scene.
A West Milton police officer discovered the vehicle and the bodies at around 5:08 a.m. after noticing the car parked alone in the empty lot.
Investigators have confirmed that all three victims — Jacob, Jaymee, and Jaime — were employees at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Authorities are now working to piece together the exact nature of their relationships and the events that led up to the deadly sequence.
The investigation currently spans three separate crime scenes: the Prichards’ home in Huber Heights, Gustitus’ apartment in Sugarcreek Township, and the West Milton Municipal Building parking lot.
The community has been left stunned by the tragedy, which has shaken both Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the small towns connected to the victims. As detectives continue their investigation, friends and colleagues are mourning three lives lost in a devastating act of violence.