Double Murder-Suicide Shocks Community

Three young people were found dead late Saturday after a reported domestic dispute in Knox County escalated into a high-speed police pursuit that ended in a crash in Laurel County, authorities said.

The victims were identified as 19-year-old Lila Asher and 18-year-old Jadeance Hale. The driver, 21-year-old James Priddy, also died, Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling said.

Authorities said the incident began as a reported domestic violence situation. According to the Barbourville Police Department, Knox County E-911 Dispatch alerted officers to be on the lookout for a vehicle involved in a domestic dispute in which the occupants were still inside.

Patrolman Mathew Warren located the vehicle on Manchester Street and attempted a traffic stop, activating emergency lights and sirens, police said. The vehicle failed to stop and continued north on U.S. 25E at a high rate of speed into Laurel County along Kentucky 312.

The pursuit lasted more than 30 minutes and reached speeds exceeding 100 mph, involving multiple agencies including the Barbourville Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Corbin Police Department and Kentucky State Police, according to authorities and dispatch audio reported by WKYT.

During the pursuit, officers attempted to stop the vehicle, including using a low-speed box-in maneuver, according to Barbourville police. The chase ended near Roscoe’s Market on Kentucky 312 after the vehicle struck a Barbourville police cruiser and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Tahoe.

“When officers approached the vehicle, it was determined that three individuals inside the vehicle had apparent gunshot wounds and were deceased,” the Barbourville Police Department said in a release.
According to Bowling, Priddy shot and killed Asher and Hale before taking his own life.

Investigators said the situation unfolded after Hale attempted to leave a relationship with Priddy. Family members became concerned and contacted authorities after the three left a Barbourville home. A Knox County 911 caller reported that “this female has been trying to leave him all day,” according to dispatch audio reported by WKYT.

In comments to Lexington television media outlets, some family members described the alleged circumstances leading up to the time the two women left with Priddy. According to details shared with media outlets, some family members suspect the two women died prior to the crash in Laurel County. Investigators have not shared or confirmed that scenario.

Officials said the deaths remain under investigation by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Barbourville Police Department.

Chief Adam Townsley said officers involved have been offered support services following the incident and extended condolences to the families. “Domestic Violence has no place in our town, and we remain committed to supporting victims and working to prevent these acts from occurring in the future,” Townsley said in a statement.

Barbourville Mayor David Thompson urged the public to avoid speculation. “In light of the tragic events of this past weekend that took the lives of three young people, I want to encourage everyone to keep speculation and theories about what happened off of social media,” Thompson said. “If something seems off or odd, please seek help. For any form or suspicion of domestic violence, please seek help.”