A tragic murder-suicide in Nebraska has left a family of four dead and reignited calls for serious reform in mental health care access. Authorities say Jeremy Koch, 42, fatally stabbed his wife, Bailey Koch, 41, and their teenage sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, before taking his own life inside their home Saturday morning.

The Nebraska State Patrol detailed the findings in a news release, confirming that all four victims sustained fatal stab wounds. A knife was recovered at the scene. The family’s deaths have stunned their Dawson County community—and left loved ones demanding systemic change.

Bailey’s parents, Lane and Peggy Kugler, said Jeremy’s mental health had been declining for years. On their joint Facebook page, they described his descent into psychosis and the fear that loomed over the household. “Jeremy had been fighting mental illness for many, many years. His depression had turned into psychosis. It was not Jeremy that committed this horrific act. It was a sick mind,” they wrote. They spoke of a deep family faith and took solace in believing the four were now reunited in peace.

Bailey had openly shared their struggles, especially Jeremy’s battle, on the Facebook page “Anchoring Hope for Mental Health”. She had made multiple attempts to get him treatment. Just two days before the incident, she wrote about Jeremy’s recent release from a mental health hospital. On Thursday, she noted how he was still struggling. By Friday, she posted again—hopeful—saying they had signed papers to begin treatment at Serene Mental Health in Kearney. “We feel heard, seen, and supported,” she wrote. “We feel confident TMS in Kearney at Serene Mental Health is where we are being led.”

But that optimism was tragically short-lived. The next morning, all four were gone—just hours before Hudson was scheduled to walk across the stage for his high school graduation.

The Kuglers did not hold back in expressing their anger at what they see as a broken mental health system. “Our daughter and her family were killed by a diseased mind with a knife,” they wrote. “Far too many diseased minds have nowhere to go. Yes, there is some help that can be tapped but, not near enough. …This country is in crisis because there is far, far too little help available to tackle the mental illness crisis.”

In a statement, Cozad Community Schools acknowledged the devastating impact on their community. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time. We appreciate the strength and support of our community as we come together in care, compassion and unity.”

The Nebraska State Patrol said the investigation remains ongoing.