In a heartbreaking case of domestic violence, Jason Palmer, 37, has been charged with murder after the tragic death of his girlfriend, Rachel Prince, a 46-year-old art teacher and mother of two young children. Palmer was arrested and charged with murder after the discovery of Prince’s body in their home in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Discovery of Rachel Prince’s Body
At around 1:20 p.m. on July 13, Columbus police responded to an “unknown complaint” at the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive. Upon arrival, they found Rachel Prince unresponsive and pronounced her dead at the scene. Her death was later determined to be caused by strangulation, along with blunt force trauma to her head and arms.
Investigators quickly pieced together the events leading up to her death, with evidence pointing to a chilling altercation the night before.
The Night Before: A Chilling Sequence of Events
On the night of July 12, Prince and Palmer were seen outside their apartment at around 10:30 p.m. According to charging documents, Prince was lying on the concrete walkway with Palmer standing over her. Witnesses allege that Palmer dragged or carried Prince back inside the apartment. No one else was seen entering or leaving the apartment until Palmer left early the next morning at 7 a.m.
Palmer’s Violent History
A review of Palmer’s criminal history reveals a pattern of violent behavior, including a domestic violence charge in November 2023. Although this charge was dismissed, Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing, after allegedly threatening to kill everyone in Prince’s home, which led to the mother and her two children hiding behind a bed. In addition, police reported red marks around Prince’s neck.
In September 2024, Palmer faced another charge for strangulation, but it was also dismissed after Palmer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence. He served 180 days in jail for that crime but was released for time served.
This history of violence and repeated legal failures has left loved ones questioning the justice system’s handling of Palmer’s case.
Loved Ones Speak Out
Jennifer Belemu, Rachel Prince’s sister-in-law, expressed her frustration over the legal system’s failure to protect Rachel. “I did everything — I was in court, I wrote letters to the judge. We have to change the system,” Belemu said. She believes that Prince’s death could have been prevented if Palmer had not been released from jail in February 2025. “This could have been prevented had they kept him in jail instead of letting him out,” she added.
Robert Prince, the ex-husband of Rachel and father to her two children, ages 9 and 11, spoke about the devastating impact on their family. “Now it’s affected my children like this,” he lamented. He expressed frustration at the court system, saying, “Everybody acts like it’s moral, and then it works, and everybody turns their head when it doesn’t.”
A Community Loss and Call for Change
Rachel Prince was remembered as a compassionate art teacher who dedicated over ten years to teaching, touching the lives of countless students. A GoFundMe campaign set up in her honor described her as “the embodiment of kindness and compassion,” known for her “dedication to spreading love and warmth through art.”
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein also responded to Rachel’s death, emphasizing the importance of support for domestic violence survivors. He posted on social media, “Domestic violence survivors should know where to access support before it’s too late.”
Palmer’s Legal Consequences
Palmer has been charged with murder and is currently being held with a $10 million bond. He faces significant legal consequences, with the case shining a light on the critical need for reform in the handling of domestic violence cases.
The tragic death of Rachel Prince highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the failure of the legal system to protect victims like her. Loved ones, advocates, and the community at large are now calling for justice for Rachel and a deeper examination of the systemic issues that allowed her death to happen. As her family mourns her loss, they are also pushing for change to ensure that no more lives are lost due to preventable violence.
