A tragic series of events unfolded early Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, when an employee of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base killed two women—his wife and a colleague—before taking his own life in a parking lot of a municipal building in West Milton, Ohio. This violent episode, which occurred across several locations in three jurisdictions, has left investigators working to establish a detailed sequence of events while communities grieve the loss of three lives.
Jacob Prichard, 34, employed at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson, reportedly broke into the Sugarcreek Township apartment of 1st Lt. Jaime Gustitus around 2 a.m. that Saturday. The 25-year-old lieutenant, part of the 711th Human Performance Wing in the Air Force Research Laboratory, resided alone at the Sugar Point By Fisher Homes complex on Honey Tree Place. A 911 call revealed that a neighbor was awakened by the sound of breaking glass from Gustitus’ deck.
The neighbor, in a state of panic, looked outside and saw a man on the deck. Upon calling out, the man—believed to be Prichard—responded, telling her to get inside and claiming he had a firearm. She reported to dispatchers that he then jumped from the second-floor deck and ran away. Sugarcreek Township police arrived at the scene around 2:05 a.m. and spoke with the caller around 2:30 a.m., leaving the scene roughly an hour and a half later, at approximately 4:04 a.m. Notably, no coroner was called before officers left the initial scene.
By 4:22 a.m., Prichard reached the West Milton Municipal Building, driving into the city parking lot. He opened his car’s trunk, revealing the body of his wife, 33-year-old Jaymee Prichard, who worked at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson. Jacob Prichard then ended his own life near the vehicle, an act captured by the building’s exterior security cameras. The exact location of Jaymee Prichard’s death is still unknown, but investigators suspect the Prichards’ home in Huber Heights may be a third crime scene.
The Sugarcreek Township call was reopened at about 5:18 a.m. Officers returned to Gustitus’ apartment by 7:14 a.m., subsequently calling for fire and medical personnel. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was contacted around 8:34 a.m. to assist with the broadening investigation.
West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright acknowledged the severity of the crimes. “The law enforcement agencies extend our condolences to the families of these horrific incidents,” Wright stated in a press release. Investigators noted that before his death, Prichard intentionally opened his trunk so that responding officers would find his wife’s body, according to investigators.
The three victims were connected through their employment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, though investigators have not confirmed if they worked in the same building or had direct professional interactions. All three had ties to the vast military installation near Dayton, which employs thousands of both military and civilian personnel.
Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, Deputy Commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, expressed the base’s grief. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected. We stand with them as they navigate this unimaginable pain, and we offer our sincerest condolences to all impacted by this heartbreaking loss,” Hurry said.
The investigation took another turn when Sgt. Doug Evans, one of the two Sugarcreek Township police officers who responded to the scene of Gustitus’ murder, was placed on paid administrative leave on Tuesday, October 28. He resigned the following day. Township Administrator Barry Tiffany refrained from specifying reasons for the leave, citing the ongoing investigation, but stated that placing employees on leave is a standard procedure while their conduct is reviewed.
Neighbors in Huber Heights expressed their distress over the violence. The Prichards had children, but police confirmed that the children were unaware of the events as they happened. Residents described feeling upset over the murders.
Various law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to establish a conclusive timeline and motive. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Sugarcreek Township Police Department, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, and West Milton Police are jointly working on the case. Investigators seek to determine exactly where Jaymee Prichard was killed and what led Jacob Prichard to carry out these violent acts.
Those with information about the investigation are encouraged to contact Lt. Jason Moore of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office at 937-440-6085, extension 3991. The Air Force has pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident and provide support to the families and coworkers of the victims during this challenging time. The 911 calls and security footage are anticipated to play significant roles as investigators work to comprehend the complete series of events that occurred across multiple locations in the Miami Valley during the early morning hours.
