In a tragic case of domestic violence, an Ohio man has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, a beloved teacher and mother of two young children. Jason Palmer, 37, is accused of killing 46-year-old Rachel Prince, who was found dead in her Columbus, Ohio, home on Sunday, July 13.
Discovery of the Crime
Authorities were called to the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive in Columbus around 1:20 p.m. in response to an “unknown complaint.” Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive woman, later identified as Rachel Prince, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Two days later, Palmer was arrested and charged with her murder.
The Events Leading to the Arrest
Investigators believe the murder took place the night before Prince’s body was discovered. According to charging documents, Palmer and Prince were seen outside their apartment on the evening of July 12 at about 10:30 p.m. Prince was reportedly lying on the concrete walkway, with Palmer standing over her.
He allegedly carried or dragged her back inside the apartment. Investigators noted that no one entered or exited the apartment until Palmer left the next morning at around 7 a.m.
An autopsy revealed that Prince died from strangulation, and she also suffered blunt force trauma to her head and arms. These findings helped authorities piece together the evidence needed for Palmer’s arrest.
Palmer’s Criminal History
A search of Palmer’s past criminal records reveals a troubling history of violent behavior. In November 2023, he was charged with domestic violence for allegedly causing physical harm to Prince. While the charge was dismissed, Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing.
The domestic violence charge stemmed from an incident in which Palmer allegedly threatened to kill everyone in Prince’s home, causing her and her children to take cover behind a bed. Police reportedly observed red marks around Prince’s neck.
In September of the previous year, Palmer was again charged with strangulation and the risk of serious harm, though the charge was dismissed after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail but was released for time served.
Family and Community Reactions
Rachel Prince’s loved ones and domestic violence advocates have expressed outrage over the case, with many questioning the effectiveness of the justice system in protecting victims.
Prince’s sister-in-law, Jennifer Belemu, told WSYX that she had been involved in multiple attempts to help Rachel, including being with her in the emergency room and writing letters to the judge. Belemu believes that Prince’s death could have been prevented if Palmer had not been released from jail earlier in the year.
“This could have been prevented had they kept him in jail in February instead of letting him out,” Belemu said. “We wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
Rachel Prince’s ex-husband, Robert Prince, who is the father of her two children, mourned the loss of his ex-wife, calling her an influential mother. “Now it’s affected my children like this,” he said, pointing to the failure of the court system to protect his family.
Rachel Prince’s Legacy
Prince, an art teacher for over ten years, was remembered by her family and friends as a compassionate and dedicated individual who spread kindness through her work. A GoFundMe campaign set up in her honor described her as the “embodiment of kindness and compassion.”
Next Steps in the Case
Jason Palmer has been charged with murder and remains in custody with a bond set at $10 million. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 25.
