Three Wright-Patterson Air Force Base employees were found dead across multiple locations in the Dayton, Ohio area, prompting a joint investigation by state and military officials. The deaths, which occurred between the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25, have prompted authorities to closely examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officials with the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base indicated that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are conducting a thorough inquiry into the three deaths. Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, deputy commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, expressed deep sadness over the tragic event and offered condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. She emphasized the base’s commitment to fully investigating the incident and providing the necessary support to those impacted by the fatalities.
The victims identified by base officials include first Lt. Jaime Gustitus, 25, of the 711th Human Performance Wing; Jaymee Prichard, 33, of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center; and Jacob Prichard, 34, who also worked in the Air Force Research Laboratory. Initial reports suggest that Jacob Prichard may have been involved in a violent incident, leading to the deaths of his wife and another individual, with the exact sequence of events still under investigation.
West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright informed WHIO that a Sugarcreek Township woman contacted 911 just before 2 a.m. after hearing a loud bang and seeing her glass door shatter. She described Jacob Prichard as the caller and reported that he had a gun to get back at her house before leaving the scene. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Jacob arriving at the West Milton municipal building around 4 a.m., parking in the safety exchange zone, opening the trunk, and appearing to take his own life. However, the exact details of the incident and the nature of the relationships among the victims remain unclear.
Authorities have confirmed that the Prichards and Gustitus were connected through their work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full circumstances of the incident, and further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.