In Loving Memory: Tragic Murder-Suicide Claims Three Lives in West Milton
WEST MILTON, OHIO — A quiet Ohio community has been left reeling after a horrific series of events that claimed three lives early Saturday morning. Police say 34-year-old Jacob E. Prichard murdered his wife, Jaymee M. Prichard, 33, and another woman, Jaime S. Gustitus, 25, before taking his own life outside the West Milton Municipal Building.
According to a statement released by the West Milton Police Department, the tragic chain of events began around 2 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, when Jacob Prichard went to Gustitus’ apartment in the 1600 block of Honey Tree Place in Sugarcreek Township. Investigators say he forcibly entered her home and fatally shot her. Authorities have not released details about what led to the attack, but police confirmed that Gustitus and Prichard were coworkers.
It remains unclear when Prichard killed his wife, Jaymee. However, police believe that sometime after the first homicide, he placed Jaymee’s body in the trunk of his vehicle and drove to West Milton, approximately 30 miles away.
At 4:22 a.m., surveillance footage captured Prichard arriving at the West Milton Municipal Building parking lot. Investigators say he exited his car, opened the trunk where his wife’s body lay, and then turned the gun on himself. West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright confirmed that a handgun was found on the ground near his body and that Prichard appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At 5:08 a.m., a West Milton police officer on routine patrol noticed a vehicle parked suspiciously in the otherwise empty lot. Upon checking the scene, the officer discovered the grim reality — Jacob Prichard deceased beside his car, and his wife’s body in the trunk.
Police have not indicated a motive but confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with support from the Sugarcreek Township Police Department and the Miami County Coroner’s Office. Autopsies are being conducted to determine the exact causes and times of death.
The devastating nature of the incident has shocked both communities where the victims lived and worked. Jaime S. Gustitus, described by friends as compassionate, hardworking, and full of life, was known for her dedication to her job and her caring nature toward others. Jaymee Prichard was remembered by those who knew her as a loving wife, friend, and vibrant presence whose kindness left a lasting impression.
Neighbors and coworkers of all three individuals are struggling to process the violence that shattered their lives overnight. “You just don’t expect something like this to happen here,” one local resident said. “It’s heartbreaking. Three lives gone — and so much pain left behind.”
Authorities have urged the public to keep the families of the victims in their thoughts as they navigate unimaginable grief. A spokesperson for the West Milton Police Department expressed condolences, saying, “Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this senseless tragedy. This is something no community should ever have to endure.”
As West Milton mourns, the tragedy serves as another painful reminder of the silent battles that sometimes precede acts of irreversible violence. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to honor Jaymee and Jaime’s memories by cherishing kindness, compassion, and the importance of reaching out for help in times of despair.
Counseling services and crisis support lines have been made available in both West Milton and Sugarcreek Township for anyone affected by the tragedy.
May Jaymee M. Prichard, Jaime S. Gustitus, and Jacob E. Prichard be remembered — not for the horror of their final moments, but for the lives they lived and the hearts they touched.
