A Nebraska father stabbed his entire family to death and then turned the knife on himself the same day as his oldest son’s high school graduation, authorities said – and just three days after he was released from a mental health hospital.

Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his 41-year-old wife, Bailey, and sons Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, in a sickening stabbing spree Saturday before taking his own life in a rural part of Dawson County, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The gruesome scene of the apparent murder-suicide was discovered by Bailey’s parents around 9:45 a.m. All four family members suffered from fatal knife wounds, police said.

“I found our two grandsons, Hudson 18, and Asher 16, and our daughter Bailey, and our son-in-law Jeremy, dead laying in their beds,” Lane and Peggy Kugler, the father and mother of Bailey and grandparents of the two boys, said in a Facebook post, according to News Channel Nebraska.

“What I saw will haunt me the rest of my life.”

The tragedy comes amid Jeremy’s longtime struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, which was chronicled by Bailey, a teacher, on a dedicated Facebook page.

She wrote on the “Anchoring Hope for Mental Health” page Wednesday that Jeremy had wrapped up a five-day stint receiving mental health care at a hospital with a photo of the couple smiling in a car.

“What a difference five days, some hydration and nutrition, med adjustments, therapies, and a safety plan can make!!!” Bailey Koch eerily wrote.

“Thank you for praying and for your unwavering support as I take Hottie Hubby HOME in time for our son’s high school graduation! We still need lots of prayers as we try and carry on with life and find our new ‘normal.’”

Still, in the days leading up to the suspected murder-suicide, the father of two continued to struggle, according to his wife’s recent social media posts.

Hudson was set to receive his diploma at Cozad High School’s graduation — which went on without the teen Saturday afternoon, just hours after the horrific slaughter.

“Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community,” the school district wrote. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”

Bailey Koch was remembered as a “passionate educator, caring colleague and bright presence in the school community,” by Holdrege Public Schools, where she worked, according to NTV.

Jeremy and Bailey were high school sweethearts and together for at least 25 years, according to the Facebook page.

In a since-deleted GoFundMe page, Bailey said her husband this month had survived numerous suicide attempts that included a car crash that nearly killed him.

“When he awoke,” she wrote, according to News Channel Nebraska, “he was destroyed his attempt hadn’t worked.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

Former Nebraska football tight end Ian Flynt committed to the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday. He made the announcement on social media Saturday afternoon.

Flynt was a member of the Nebraska football 2024 recruiting class. He originally came to Nebraska as a tight end, but was moved to the defensive end position. He played in one game in the 2024 season, making his debut against UTEP.

According to Rivals, Flynt was recognized as one of the top tight ends in Texas as a recruit. He will have four seasons of eligibility remaining at North Carolina State.

This marks a busy spring for Huskers in terms of roster movement. It comes as the House settlement regarding roster limits hangs in the balance.

Flynt will have an opportunity to make an impact in a premier conference. The Huskers’ tight end room appears to be in decent shape, with Luke Lindenmeyer and Heinrich Haarberg looking to take on bigger roles in the room.

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The Huskers (25-25, 12-13) opened their conference against Michigan (31-18, 14-11) on Friday night. After allowing one run, Nebraska shut down the Wolverines and outscored them 3-1 en route to a 3-2 victory.

The Huskers fell behind 1-0 in the first after Michigan got a runner around the base off a walk, a steal, a sacrificial grounder and an RBI single.

Nebraska jumped ahead in the second, going up 2-1 before scoring once again in the sixth. The Wolverines didn’t add another run until the eighth but failed to get a runner on base for the rest of the night.

Both teams finished with seven hits and two RBIs, with Nebraska earning a score off a wild pitch in the second.

Hogan Helligso and Riley Silva earned the Huskers’ RBIs, with Helligso hitting a sacrificial grounder while Silva finished 1-for-2 with an RBI double.

Case Sanderson hit 3-for-4 to lead the team at the plate. Robby Bolin, Cayden Brumbaugh and Joshua Overbeek rounded out Nebraska’s performance in the batter’s box, each delivering one hit.

Tucker Timmerman (2-1) grabbed the win at the mound after pitching a career-high 7.0 innings. He allowed one run off five hits and a walk while earning five strikeouts. Drew Christo recorded an out but allowed a run on a pair of hits after opening up the eighth.

Luke Broderick got the save for the Huskers in the ninth, his 10th of the season, becoming the 12th Husker reliever in program history to reach that mark. He pitched the final 1.2 innings, shutting out Michigan and throwing a pair of strikeouts.

Nebraska continues the series with the Wolverines on Saturday afternoon. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. CT on B1G+.

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