The town of Cozad, Nebraska, is grieving the loss of four members of the Koch family — a tragedy that unfolded just hours before what was meant to be a celebration of their eldest son’s high school graduation.
On a quiet Saturday morning, authorities responded to the family’s home and discovered Bailey and Jeremy Koch, along with their teenage sons, Hudson and Asher, deceased. The investigation remains ongoing. Early indications suggest the incident may have been connected to a severe and prolonged mental health crisis.
What followed was not only heartbreak — but a public plea for change.
A Family Known for Faith and Advocacy
Bailey and Jeremy Koch were well known in their community. Friends described them as devoted parents, active church members, and open advocates for mental health awareness.
Bailey had chronicled their journey publicly through a Facebook page called Anchoring Hope for Mental Health, where she documented her husband’s struggles and their attempts to find effective treatment. Her posts reflected honesty, persistence, and unwavering belief in recovery.
Just days before the tragedy, Bailey shared hopeful news: Jeremy had recently been discharged from a mental health facility, and they had begun arrangements for a new treatment plan.
“We feel heard, seen, and supported,” she wrote.
Behind that optimism, however, was a long and exhausting battle with a system that often moved slowly while their crisis escalated.
When Mental Illness Escalates
In a public statement, Bailey’s parents, Lane and Peggy Kugler, described Jeremy’s condition as a severe mental illness that progressed over time from depression into psychosis.
“This was not Jeremy,” they wrote. “This was a diseased mind, not the man we knew.”
They emphasized that the tragedy was not the result of a lack of love, effort, or faith. According to the family, Bailey worked tirelessly to secure care for her husband — navigating hospitalizations, insurance barriers, and limited provider availability, particularly in rural Nebraska.
Their message was not about assigning blame. It was about highlighting what they believe is a national failure to adequately support families facing mental health crises.
A Broader National Problem
Mental health access remains a significant challenge across the United States — especially in rural communities.
Families often encounter:
- Long wait times for psychiatric appointments
- Limited inpatient bed availability
- Insurance restrictions on coverage
- Shortages of licensed mental health professionals
- Geographic barriers to consistent care
In states like Nebraska, access to specialized psychiatric services can be particularly limited outside major metropolitan areas. For individuals experiencing severe conditions such as major depressive disorder or psychotic disorders, delayed or inconsistent treatment can lead to worsening instability.
According to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than half of U.S. adults with a mental health condition receive no treatment in a given year — with rural populations disproportionately affected.
The Kuglers believe their daughter’s story reflects this larger systemic gap.
A Community Stunned
The tragedy struck on May 11 — the same day Hudson was scheduled to graduate from high school.
The Cozad community responded with unity and compassion. The local school district made counselors available for students and staff. A vigil was held. Neighbors shared memories of a family they described as kind and involved.
In small towns, the impact of loss radiates widely. Teachers, classmates, church members, and friends were all affected.
Yet many community members have echoed the Kuglers’ hope that the story leads to awareness — not silence.
Turning Grief Into Advocacy
Bailey’s parents have since dedicated themselves to raising awareness about the urgency of mental health reform.
They advocate for:
- Expanded insurance coverage for psychiatric care
- Greater funding for rural mental health services
- Increased crisis-response resources for families
- Stronger early-intervention programs
- Public education to reduce stigma around mental illness
Their message is clear: mental illness is a medical condition requiring timely, sustained treatment — not judgment, shame, or delay.
“This country is in crisis,” they wrote. “Far too many minds are suffering without options. The help must come sooner.”
A Difficult but Necessary Conversation
Stories like this are painful to read — but they are part of a larger conversation happening across the country about mental health access and crisis intervention.
For families navigating similar struggles, support resources are available:
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
Call or text: 988
Available 24/7
NAMI Helpline
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
www.nami.org
Mental Health America
www.mhanational.org
Local health departments, faith-based organizations, and community clinics may also offer low-cost or sliding-scale services.
Remembering — and Acting
Bailey, Jeremy, Hudson, and Asher Koch are remembered by those who knew them as loving family members and active members of their community.
Their story has sparked renewed discussions across Nebraska about mental health access, early intervention, and the need for systemic reform.
If there is a legacy to emerge from such profound loss, it may be this: that mental health must be treated with urgency, consistency, and compassion — before families reach a breaking point.
And that communities, policymakers, and providers must work together so that those seeking help do not have to fight the system alone.
