Three Wright-Patterson Air Force Base employees were found dead in what authorities have described as a double murder-suicide that unfolded across multiple crime scenes in Ohio on October 25. The incident has prompted investigations by multiple agencies, including the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
According to the West Milton Police Division, 34-year-old Jacob Prichard drove to Sugarcreek Township around 2 a.m. on October 25, where he broke into the apartment of 25-year-old 1st Lt. Jaime Gustitus and killed her. Gustitus, who lived alone, worked in the 711th Human Performance Wing, which is part of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Police confirmed that all three individuals knew each other through their employment at the Ohio air base.
The sequence of events that morning remains under investigation, with authorities working to piece together the exact timeline. After leaving Gustitus’ residence, Jacob Prichard was not seen again until approximately 4:30 a.m., when he arrived at the West Milton Municipal Building parking lot. There, police said he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death was captured on exterior security cameras at the location.
Before dying, police said Jacob Prichard opened the trunk of his vehicle, revealing the body of his 33-year-old wife, Jaymee Prichard. Authorities believe he killed her either late on October 24 or early on October 25, though the exact location of her death remains unknown. Jaymee Prichard worked in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
The investigation spans three potential crime scenes: the West Milton Municipal Building where Jacob Prichard died, the couple’s residence in Huber Heights, and Gustitus’ apartment in Sugarcreek Township. Multiple law enforcement agencies are working together to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the Sugarcreek Township Police Department and the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacob Prichard worked in the Air Force Research Laboratory, the same division where Gustitus was employed. The Air Force Research Laboratory is a major component of the base’s operations, focusing on scientific research and technological development for military applications. The 711th Human Performance Wing, where Gustitus specifically worked, concentrates on advancing human performance capabilities and medical research.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, where Jaymee Prichard was employed, handles acquisition and sustainment of Air Force weapon systems and technology. This center plays a critical role in managing the lifecycle of military equipment and systems from development through retirement.
Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, deputy commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, addressed the incident in a statement: “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.”
The statement continued, expressing the base’s commitment to supporting those affected: “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.”
West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright acknowledged the severity of the situation in an official press release. “The law enforcement agencies extend our condolences to the families of these horrific incidents,” Wright stated.
The community of West Milton, located approximately 75 miles from Cincinnati, has been affected by the incident. The small Ohio town’s municipal building became a crime scene when Jacob Prichard arrived in the early morning hours, bringing an end to the violent sequence of events.
The Prichards lived together in Huber Heights, roughly 30 minutes from West Milton. Both had graduated from Wright State University, with Jaymee earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Before joining the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, she had worked at a rental photo booth company that Jacob co-founded.
Investigators have not disclosed a motive for the killings or details about the relationships between the three individuals beyond their professional connections at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The nature of any personal relationships remains part of the ongoing investigation.
On November 3, authorities released the official causes of death for all three individuals. West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright confirmed that Gustitus died from a gunshot wound, while Jaymee Prichard died from asphyxiation due to strangulation, and Jacob Prichard died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The revelation that Jaymee Prichard was strangled rather than shot marked a significant detail in the ongoing investigation. As of early November, authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killings, and the exact location where Jaymee Prichard was killed remains unknown. The investigation continues under the leadership of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and multiple local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, one of the Sugarcreek Township police officers who responded to the scene on October 25 was placed on administrative leave on October 28 and resigned the following day, though township officials cited the ongoing investigation when declining to provide specific reasons for the administrative action.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact Lt. Jason Moore of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office at 937-440-6085. The collaborative investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three Air Force base personnel.