Investigators say a man shot two young women before taking his own life after a police pursuit in Laurel County.
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Two young women were found dead inside a vehicle in southeastern Kentucky late Saturday after a reported domestic violence incident that ended in a police pursuit, and investigators believe the man driving the car fatally shot them before taking his own life.
Authorities identified the victims as 18-year-old Jadeance Hale and 19-year-old Lila Asher. The suspected shooter was identified as 21-year-old James Priddy. Investigators say the case began as concerns grew over Hale’s efforts to end her relationship with Priddy. The deaths have drawn attention across Kentucky because law enforcement agencies were already searching for the vehicle after receiving reports that the women may have been in danger.
According to investigators, the events unfolded Saturday evening after Hale, Asher and Priddy left a residence in Barbourville. Family members became alarmed when the group did not return and information surfaced indicating that Hale had been attempting to end her relationship with Priddy throughout the day. Authorities said Asher accompanied Hale to provide support during the separation. As concern grew, relatives reportedly contacted emergency dispatchers and expressed fears that the women were inside a vehicle with a man who would not allow them to leave. Law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions began sharing information as officers searched for the group. The situation quickly escalated from a missing-person concern into what investigators described as a possible domestic violence emergency.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said it received information from the Barbourville Police Department at approximately 10:45 p.m. regarding a red Chevrolet Cobalt linked to the reported incident. Deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Investigators said the driver refused to pull over, leading officers to pursue the vehicle. Authorities later attempted to contain the car, and during those efforts the Chevrolet collided with another vehicle before coming to a stop. When deputies approached the car, they discovered all three occupants dead inside. Investigators said evidence at the scene indicated Hale and Asher had been shot. Officials believe Priddy then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not publicly disclosed exactly when the shootings occurred or whether either woman had an opportunity to escape before the vehicle was stopped.
The deaths have devastated relatives, friends and community members across southeastern Kentucky. Hale and Asher were described by those who knew them as young women with promising futures ahead of them. A fundraising effort established after the killings referred to them as “two vibrant young women whose lives were tragically cut short.” The circumstances have also renewed attention on the dangers often associated with domestic violence cases. Advocates have long noted that periods surrounding separation attempts can be among the most dangerous times for victims. While investigators have not released detailed information about the history of the relationship between Hale and Priddy, authorities have indicated that Hale’s reported desire to end the relationship was a significant factor in the events that preceded the shootings.
Investigators are now focused on reconstructing the final hours before the deaths. Detectives are expected to review phone records, witness accounts and physical evidence collected from the scene. Officials have said they may also examine communications exchanged among the three individuals earlier in the day. Authorities have not disclosed whether there were previous police calls involving the couple or whether any protective orders had ever been requested. Because the suspected shooter is dead, no criminal charges are expected. Instead, investigators are working to complete a comprehensive case file and determine as accurately as possible what occurred inside the vehicle before deputies reached it. Autopsy findings and forensic testing are expected to play a key role in that process.
Residents near the area where the pursuit ended reported seeing a large law enforcement response as emergency vehicles converged on the roadway late Saturday night. For many people following the case, one of the most painful details was the report that Asher accompanied Hale in an effort to support her during a difficult personal decision. Friends and relatives have shared messages of grief and remembrance, focusing on the lives of the two women and the impact they had on those around them. Community members have expressed shock that a situation that began as a reported attempt to leave a relationship ended with three deaths. The tragedy has left families searching for answers while investigators continue gathering evidence.
The investigation remains active. Authorities say detectives are continuing to interview witnesses, analyze evidence and await additional forensic results as they work to establish a complete timeline of events leading to the deaths of Hale, Asher and Priddy.
Author note: Last updated June 10, 2026.