WEST MILTON, Ohio — A small Ohio community is in mourning after a shocking series of events left three people dead early Saturday morning in what police have described as a murder-suicide spanning two towns. Authorities say 34-year-old Jacob E. Prichard fatally shot his wife, 33-year-old Jaymee M. Prichard, and another woman, 25-year-old Jaime S. Gustitus, before taking his own life outside the West Milton Municipal Building.
According to the West Milton Police Department, the tragic chain of events began around 2 a.m. on October 25, 2025, when Prichard went to Gustitus’ apartment on the 1600 block of Honey Tree Place in Sugarcreek Township. Investigators believe he forcibly entered her residence and shot her multiple times before fleeing the scene. Authorities later confirmed that Prichard and Gustitus were coworkers, though the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Police believe Prichard then returned home, where he killed his wife, Jaymee. Investigators say he later placed her body in the trunk of his car and drove about 30 miles to West Milton. At approximately 4:22 a.m., surveillance footage showed Prichard pulling into the parking lot of the municipal building. Moments later, he reportedly opened the trunk and fatally shot himself beside the vehicle.
At 5:08 a.m., a West Milton police officer conducting routine patrol discovered the grisly scene — Jacob Prichard deceased next to his car and his wife’s body inside the trunk. A handgun was recovered nearby, and the Miami County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that both Jaymee and Jacob died from gunshot wounds. Autopsies are underway to determine the exact timeline of the killings.
The tragedy has shaken both Sugarcreek Township and West Milton, where residents are struggling to comprehend the violence. Friends described Gustitus as a caring and hardworking young woman known for her warmth and dedication, while Jaymee Prichard was remembered as loving, friendly, and full of life. Community members have placed flowers and candles near both scenes to honor the victims.
Authorities from multiple agencies — including the Sugarcreek Township Police Department and Miami County investigators — continue to examine what may have led to the violence. “Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this senseless tragedy,” said West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright. “This is something no community should ever have to endure.”