A man in Ohio has been charged with murder following the death of his girlfriend, Rachel Prince, who was allegedly strangled in a tragic case of domestic violence.
Jason Palmer, 37, faces charges after his girlfriend, a teacher and mother of two young children, was found dead at her home in Columbus on Sunday, July 13.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and the failure of the justice system to prevent such crimes.
The Incident and Arrest
At around 1:20 p.m. on July 13, Columbus police responded to an “unknown complaint” at the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive in Columbus. There, they discovered an unresponsive Rachel Prince. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Two days later, Jason Palmer, her 37-year-old boyfriend, was arrested and charged with her murder.
The investigation revealed disturbing details about the events leading up to her death. On the night of July 12, Palmer and Prince were outside their apartment around 10:30 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing Prince lying on the concrete walkway, with Palmer standing over her.
He allegedly “carried or dragged” her inside their home. The following morning, Palmer left the apartment around 7 a.m. No one else was observed entering or exiting the residence during that time, which led investigators to believe the couple had been alone.
An autopsy later revealed that Prince died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to her head and arms.
Palmer’s History of Domestic Violence
Jason Palmer’s criminal history adds to the chilling nature of the case. Court records from Franklin County reveal that Palmer had been involved in violent incidents in the past.
In November 2023, he was charged with domestic violence after allegedly threatening to kill everyone in Prince’s house, forcing her and her children to hide. While the domestic violence charge was dismissed, Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing.
Additionally, in September of the previous year, Palmer was charged with strangulation. Though that charge was also dismissed, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, serving time for that crime.
Family and Advocates Speak Out
Rachel Prince’s family and advocates for domestic violence prevention have expressed deep concern over the failure of the justice system in this case. Jennifer Belemu, Rachel’s sister-in-law, said she had done everything possible to intervene before the tragic incident.
She mentioned that she was with Rachel in the emergency room in December and had written letters to judges, urging them not to release Palmer.
Belemu strongly believes that Prince’s death could have been prevented had Palmer been kept in jail after his previous offenses. “We wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” Belemu said. “This could have been prevented.”
Robert Prince, Rachel’s ex-husband and the father of her children, expressed his sorrow over the loss of their mother. He lamented that the court system had failed his children, ages 9 and 11, by allowing Palmer to remain free after his past actions.
Reactions and Tributes
In the wake of Prince’s death, domestic violence advocates and community members have called for systemic changes. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein posted on social media, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that domestic violence survivors know where to find support before it’s too late.
Rachel Prince is remembered as a beloved teacher who dedicated her life to spreading kindness and compassion through art.
A GoFundMe set up in her memory describes her as an “embodiment of kindness and compassion” who touched the lives of many students during her 10 years of teaching. Her passing has left a profound impact on her family, colleagues, and students.
Jason Palmer’s preliminary hearing is set for Friday, July 25, as the legal process continues.
