Tragedy in Dawson County: Jeremy Koch Kills Wife, Bailey Koch And Two Sons Hudson And Asher Koch In Murder-Suicide
The small town of Cozad, Nebraska, located in Dawson County, was shaken to its core on the evening of May 9, 2025, as the bodies of Jeremy Koch, his wife Bailey Koch, and their two sons, Hudson and Asher Koch, were discovered in what authorities are now calling a tragic murder-suicide.
Law enforcement officials responded to a welfare call near Johnson Lake, and upon arrival, they found the four family members dead at the scene. Jeremy Koch, aged 42, had reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while his wife, Bailey, and their two sons were found murdered.
This devastating loss has left the Cozad and surrounding Holdrege communities in shock and mourning. Bailey Koch, a well-respected special education teacher at Holdrege Public Schools, and co-owner of Natural Escapes in Cozad, was known for her deep commitment to her students and her passion for mental health advocacy.
Bailey and her husband, Jeremy, had become public figures for their open and honest discussions surrounding mental health struggles, especially their shared experience with Jeremy’s lifelong battle with suicidal ideation.
Together, they created a platform called Anchoring Hope for Mental Health: Jeremy & Bailey Koch, which had inspired many people by offering a glimpse of hope and support for others struggling with mental health challenges.
The devastating tragedy unfolded around 6:00 p.m. on May 9, 2025, when multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Cozad Police Department, forensic teams, and Denver-based homicide investigators, responded to a call at the Koch family’s home near Johnson Lake.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered Jeremy, Bailey, Hudson, and Asher, all suffering from gunshot wounds. Jeremy was found to have inflicted the fatal wounds on himself, while Bailey, Hudson, and Asher were found murdered at the scene.
