GoFundMe organized for female victims in reported double murder-suicide
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) – 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 Kira L. H. 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 ABC 36 News will provide more information as it becomes available.
