On June 6, 2026, a scheduled breakup attempt in southern Kentucky turned fatal. The eighteen-year-old Jedance Hale invited her best friend, Lila Asher, who was nineteen, to accompany her during the scheduled breakup with twenty-one-year-old James Priddy. The three ended up in Priddy’s red Chevy Cobalt. What was supposed to be a short trip turned into a nightmare when Priddy refused to let the women leave the vehicle.
Hale’s mother called 911 in distress, reporting that her daughter and Asher were trapped inside the car and unable to get out. Dispatch audio captured the family’s growing fear after Hale had tried to leave Priddy throughout the day. A gunshot was reportedly heard during a phone call, according to family accounts.
Faster than expected, Barbourville officers noticed the car and followed close behind. Through winding roads it went, nearly half an hour slipping by as tires ate up miles from Knox into Laurel County. Then sudden stillness on Route 312 where motion gave out, either halting or broken apart. Officers approached to find all three individuals dead inside from gunshot wounds to the head.
Jedance (also spelled Jadence or Jadeance) Ann Marie Hale, 18, was described as vibrant and ready to move forward. Lila (Kira Lila Hope) Asher, 19, of Lily, a new mother to a 5-month-old daughter who was not in the car, was Hale’s close friend. Family members said the two young women “shared a deep bond” and were “always wanting to be together.”
James Priddy, 21, of Bimble, was Hale’s boyfriend. Authorities identified him as the shooter.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner Doug Bowling determined that Priddy shot and killed Hale and Asher before dying by suicide. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Knox County authorities and Kentucky State Police, and remains ongoing.
The Knox and Laurel County communities reacted with shock and grief. Families planned side-by-side funerals to honor the women’s friendship. A GoFundMe titled “Honoring Lila & Jedance Together” was created to cover funeral costs, with a goal of $12,000. It has raised significant support.
This tragedy highlights the risks many face when leaving relationships. Domestic violence advocates stress the need for safety planning during breakups. Hale’s family urged others in similar situations to seek help. As one relative noted in coverage, the loss of these two young women leaves a lasting impact on their families and community.
A quiet moment lingers after lives are changed too soon. What happens when words turn to wounds stays long after silence returns
