Update: June 8 at 6 p.m.
A domestic violence call Saturday night led to a multi-county chase and ended in a double murder-suicide, leaving two young women dead and a community in shock.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office received a call from concerned parents about a possible domestic violence situation involving three people. Barbourville Police began pursuing a red Chevy Cobalt connected to that report, leading officers on a chase through southern Laurel County before ending on Highway 312.
The Laurel County Sheriff's Department said the pursuit ended when the driver was boxed in by police.
"One of our officers got out of the vehicle and made contact with the driver. And that's when he would discover the three deceased individuals with gunshot wounds," Barbourville Police Sergeant Karl Middleton said.
Police discovered the bodies of 21-year-old James Priddy, 18-year-old Jedance Hale, and 19-year-old Lila Asher. Police say Priddy shot and killed the two young women before turning the gun on himself.
Jedance was planning to break up with Priddy and had brought Lila along for support.
"Our hearts go out to the families. I can't imagine the grief they're feeling from something like this. It's just unimaginable. But then we had the first responders too that saw what they saw during their investigation. And it was a tough one for us," Laurel County Sheriff's Office Public Affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said.
The tragedy has shaken not only those closest to the victims, but the broader community as well.
"The whole community of Knox County, they're really torn up as well to hear about the passing, about the girls. They're just in shock as much as their families and their friends and everybody," Mackenize Watts, friend to Jedance and Lila, said.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the families of Jedance and Lila, with nearly $3,000 already raised.
Friends say Lila and Jedance shared a deep bond, and the families plan to hold their funerals side by side.
"They were two innocent girls. One was a mom to a baby girl and it's just shocking to everybody," Watts said.
You can donate to a GoFundMe for Lila and Jedance's families here.
Update: June 7 at 6 p.m.
A GoFundMe has been created for the two female victims of a reported double murder-suicide that occurred in southern Laurel County Saturday night. According to officials, the female victims have been identified as 18-year-old Jadence A. M. Hale and 19-year-old Lila Asher.
As of 6 p.m. Sunday, the GoFundMe has raised over $1,800 of its $12,000 goal. According to the GoFundMe's organizer, the fundraiser is intended to support the Hale and Asher families with covering funeral costs.
"Their sudden loss has left their families and friends in shock, struggling to find the words and strength to move forward... Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the financial strain during this heartbreaking time," the organizer wrote on the GoFundMe.
Visit Hale and Asher's fundraiser at this link: Honoring Lila & Jadence Together
Update: June 7 at 2:30 p.m.
The Laurel County Sheriff's Office has released new information regarding an apparent double murder-suicide that occurred Saturday night.
According to a press release, the Knox County Sheriff's Office received a report Saturday night about a possible domestic violence situation involving three individuals. After the report, the Barbourville Police Department began pursuing a red Chevrolet Cobalt (connected to the reported situation) around 10:45 p.m.
The pursuit between Barbourville police and the Chevrolet Cobalt made its way into southern Laurel County, ending on Kentucky Highway 312. According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, the pursuit ended when the driver of the vehicle became "boxed in" by police. The driver then struck another vehicle and stopped driving.
Three bodies were discovered inside the vehicle after the pursuit ended. According to authorities, the bodies were identified as 21-year-old James Priddy of Bimble, 18-year-old Jadence A. M. Hale, and 19-year-old Kira L. H. Asher of Lily.
Officials report that Priddy shot and killed the two teens before dying by suicide. According to Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling, Asher and Hale's death has been ruled a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. Priddy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities also report that Hale was allegedly in a relationship with Priddy.
The double murder-suicide remains under investigation by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, the Knox County Sheriff's Office, and the Barbourville City Police Department.
Assisting the three agencies on-scene was Laurel County Ambulance, the London-Laurel Rescue Squad, the West Knox County Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel County Emergency Management, the Corbin Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and the Laurel County Coroner's Office.
This is an ongoing story, and LEX News will provide more information as it becomes available.
