by SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP, OH — A tragic double murder-suicide involving three Air Force base employees has left a quiet Ohio community reeling after authorities say a man killed his wife and a fellow lieutenant before taking his own life early Saturday morning.
Authorities identified the gunman as 34-year-old Jacob Prichard, an employee at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Police say Prichard fatally shot his wife, 33-year-old Jaymee Prichard, and 1st Lt. Jaime Gustitus, before killing himself in a parking lot outside the West Milton Municipal Building.
The Deadly Chain of Events
The violence reportedly began late on October 24, when Prichard broke into Lt. Gustitus’ apartment in Sugarcreek Township, roughly 18 miles south of Wright-Patterson AFB, where all three victims worked. According to local police reports cited by WDTN, Prichard attacked Gustitus inside her home. While investigators have not yet released the manner of her death, they confirmed she was the sole occupant of the apartment.
After leaving the scene, Prichard allegedly murdered his wife, Jaymee, before driving to the nearby West Milton Municipal Building. Around 4:30 a.m. on October 25, responding officers discovered Jacob dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while Jaymee’s body was found in the open trunk of the couple’s vehicle, authorities said.
Base Officials Confirm Deaths
Officials from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base confirmed the deaths of the three individuals in a statement issued Saturday morning.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected,” said Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, Deputy Commander of Air Force Materiel Command. “We stand with them as they navigate this unimaginable pain, and we offer our sincerest condolences to all impacted by this heartbreaking loss.”
According to the base’s statement, both Prichard and Gustitus worked within the Air Force Research Laboratory, while Jaymee was employed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
Officials added that the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) is assisting the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
Investigators Search for Motive
While investigators confirmed that all three victims were connected professionally, the exact nature of their relationships remains unclear. Authorities are still working to determine what led Prichard to commit the killings.
Detectives say Prichard appeared to target Lt. Gustitus before killing his wife and himself. Evidence recovered from both the apartment and the vehicle is being analyzed to piece together a timeline of the final hours leading up to the murders.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, alongside local police, is leading the investigation and expects to release additional information as forensic testing and interviews are completed.
Remembering the Victims
Before her death, Jaymee Prichard had been known for her entrepreneurial spirit and academic achievements. A Wright State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Jaymee had worked with her husband at a photo booth rental company he co-founded before both joined the Air Force community.
According to a 2018 Wright State Newsroom feature, Jaymee developed a passion for business at a young age, helping her stepfather manage his cellphone retail stores and later pursuing a career combining creativity and technology. Friends and former colleagues described her as “driven, kind, and full of energy.”
Lt. Gustitus, who served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force, was also part of the base’s research division. Her coworkers remembered her as a dedicated officer with a bright future in military innovation and leadership.
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Community and Military Respond
The tragedy has deeply shaken both the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and local communities. Grief counselors and chaplains have been made available to staff and families impacted by the incident.
“We are committed to fully investigating this incident and ensuring the families and co-workers of the victims receive the support they need during this difficult time,” Lt. Gen. Hurry said.
Community members in Sugarcreek Township and West Milton have begun organizing memorial vigils to honor the victims and show solidarity with their grieving families.
Join the Discussion
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