Woman Charged with Killing Her Children’s Father and His Parents

Woman Charged with Killing Her Children’s Father and His Parents

A horrifying triple murder in Crete Township, Illinois, has shocked the community as 30-year-old Jenna Strouble is charged with killing her former partner, Jacob Lambert, and his parents, Stacy and Patrick Forde. The brutal killings took place in the early hours of March 23, 2026, leaving the victims’ family and friends devastated and raising questions about the circumstances leading to such an unimaginable act.

The Grisly Discovery

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on March 23, 2026, deputies were called to perform a welfare check at a residence located on the 3400 block of East Norway Trail in Crete Township. What they discovered was a gruesome scene. Three adults were found dead at the property—one inside a vehicle in the driveway and two inside the home near the front door. The victims were later identified as 32-year-old Jacob Lambert, 54-year-old Stacy Forde, and 55-year-old Patrick Forde.

The deputies who responded to the scene were immediately struck by the apparent violence of the crime. Jacob Lambert was found dead in a car in the driveway, while his parents were discovered inside the home, near the front door. Neighbors reported hearing gunfire just before the bodies were discovered, further adding to the chilling nature of the crime.

A Domestic and Targeted Attack

Investigators quickly determined that the killings were domestic in nature and targeted, with all three victims appearing to have been deliberately attacked. According to law enforcement, Jenna Strouble, who had an on-and-off relationship with Jacob Lambert and shares children with him, is the person responsible for the murders.

The motive behind the killings is still under investigation, but authorities believe that the relationship dynamics between Strouble and Lambert played a significant role in the tragic events that unfolded. Strouble’s actions appear to have been driven by personal issues related to her tumultuous relationship with Lambert, making this an incredibly heartbreaking and personal crime.

The Hunt for Strouble

After the murders, Strouble fled the scene and made her way to her residence in St. John, Indiana. It was there that she was apprehended by authorities. Investigators say Strouble made incriminating statements that implicated her in the killings. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered a firearm, which was found to match the weapon used in the murders.

Strouble’s decision to flee the scene and her eventual capture only added to the intensity of the investigation. It is unclear if Strouble was aware that investigators were closing in on her, but her actions in the aftermath of the murders point to an attempt to evade justice.

The Charges Against Strouble

Jenna Strouble is facing a staggering nine counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Jacob Lambert, Stacy Forde, and Patrick Forde. The severity of the charges reflects the brutal nature of the crime and the intentional targeting of the victims. Strouble is currently being held in Lake County, Indiana, and is awaiting extradition to Illinois to face trial.

The decision to charge Strouble with nine counts of murder stems from the fact that she is accused of killing not only her former partner but also his parents, which adds an additional layer of severity to the crime. The fact that Strouble shares children with Jacob Lambert only makes the case more tragic, as her actions have left those children without both their father and their grandparents.

The Impact on the Community and Family

The shocking deaths of Jacob Lambert and his parents have left their community in disbelief and mourning. Neighbors who knew the victims described them as caring and loving individuals, making the crime even more difficult to comprehend. The Forde family, particularly, is grappling with the loss of both parents in such a violent manner.

The victims’ family and friends are now facing the painful task of dealing with the aftermath of a crime that was deeply personal and senseless. The loss of Jacob Lambert, a father, and his parents, who were reportedly close to their grandchildren, will leave a permanent void in the lives of their loved ones.

The Road to Justice

As Strouble awaits extradition to Illinois, the legal process will unfold. The community, along with the family of the victims, is looking for justice for Jacob, Stacy, and Patrick Forde. Strouble’s case will likely bring to light more details about the relationship between her and Lambert, and possibly provide a clearer picture of what led to such a heinous act.

The fact that this crime took place within a family, involving a mother killing the father of her children and his parents, highlights the tragic consequences of unresolved personal conflicts. It is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing issues of domestic violence and strained relationships before they escalate into violence.

As the case progresses, Strouble will have to face the consequences of her actions in a court of law. However, no legal proceedings can undo the devastating impact this crime has had on the Forde family and the community at large.

Ex-MMA Fighter Starved Young Daughter to Death and Locked Son in Cage So He Could Play Video Games.H647

Ex-MMA Fighter Starved Young Daughter to Death and Locked Son in Cage So He Could Play Video Games

In one of the most disturbing cases of child abuse, Robert S. Buskey Jr., a 35-year-old former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after his 5-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was starved to death and locked in a bedroom for months. The unimaginable cruelty that occurred in Schenectady, New York, has shocked the community and left the surviving child, a 3-year-old son, traumatized and abandoned.

Buskey’s heinous actions came to light after first responders were called to his home on April 14, 2024, following a report of an unresponsive child. What they found was nothing short of a “house of horrors.” Inside, they discovered the emaciated body of Charlotte, who had been locked in a bedroom without food, water, or human contact for months. Her body was completely malnourished, and the room was bare except for a small pack-and-play, where Charlotte had been forced to lie in a fetal position, unable to escape her confinement.

Charlotte’s death was ruled a homicide, caused by dehydration and starvation, and prosecutors have said the circumstances of her death were due to her father’s “depraved indifference to human life.” Tragically, her young brother, who was only three years old, was also found in a makeshift cage in the dining room, isolated from the outside world. He was discovered with physical signs of neglect and was later determined to have tested positive for cocaine.

According to the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, Buskey, who had been living in the deplorable conditions with his children, had completely isolated them from their family, medical appointments, and education. The two children had no contact with the outside world, and their lives had shrunk to the confines of their father’s abusive home. Buskey’s neglectful and abusive behavior escalated over time, and his actions left both children without any semblance of safety or care.

Buskey had reportedly installed a lock on the outside of Charlotte’s bedroom door and reinforced it with tape after she managed to escape by jiggling the handle. The act of locking his daughter away in a room, while her brother was left in a cage, was done to ensure that Buskey could continue to live his life undisturbed. Prosecutors said that his sole focus was on his own self-gratification—using drugs, playing video games, and neglecting the welfare of his children. The “house of horrors” described by authorities was not only a place of physical abuse but also one where Charlotte and her brother had been denied the basic needs of a child: food, water, and love.

Buskey’s actions went beyond simple neglect. He had inflicted extreme cruelty on his children, depriving them of everything they needed to survive. Despite the home being stocked with food, including boxes located just outside Charlotte’s locked bedroom, she was left to starve, unable to access any sustenance. Buskey’s refusal to provide for his daughter, coupled with his cruel decision to lock her away, ensured that she would never have the chance to escape the horrors of her father’s abuse. Charlotte’s death could have been prevented had Buskey simply provided basic care and protection, but his choice to subject his children to unspeakable suffering has left a permanent scar on the lives of those who knew them.

An autopsy revealed the horrific extent of Charlotte’s suffering, confirming that she had died from a combination of starvation and dehydration. The medical examiner also noted that Charlotte’s body showed no signs of food, further highlighting the deliberate nature of the neglect she had endured. The children’s exposure to cocaine only added to the already tragic situation, raising further questions about how Buskey’s drug use played a role in his actions and the well-being of his children.

Buskey’s decision to plea guilty on January 23, 2026, to second-degree murder and criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child was a pivotal moment in the case. The plea agreement guarantees that Buskey will be sentenced to 27 years to life in prison—25 years to life for the murder conviction and an additional two years for the drug charge. When sentenced on March 27, Buskey will face the consequences of his actions and the full weight of his crime. As part of the plea agreement, Buskey waived his right to appeal, and a protective order will be issued to prevent any future contact with his surviving son, who has been placed in the care of other family members.

The chilling details of this case have left the community and the public reeling. Charlotte and her brother were denied any chance at a normal childhood. They were denied love, care, and basic necessities, trapped in a nightmare created by their own father. While Charlotte’s life was tragically cut short, her story will serve as a painful reminder of the cruelty some children face at the hands of those meant to protect them.

For the surviving son, his journey to heal from the abuse he endured will be long and difficult. His trauma, both physical and emotional, will take time to process. However, with the legal system holding his father accountable for his actions, the hope is that the boy will have a chance to rebuild his life, free from the abusive environment he once lived in.

This case raises broader questions about the responsibilities of parents and caregivers, particularly when it comes to the well-being of vulnerable children. It is essential that society remains vigilant in recognizing signs of abuse and neglect and that those who fail to protect children face the full extent of the law. Buskey’s actions were not only cruel, but they were also a failure to fulfill the basic duty of care that all parents have for their children. His decision to lock his daughter away, deny her food, and allow her to die in such a horrific manner cannot be justified or excused in any way.

As the community mourns the loss of Charlotte, there is a collective desire for justice and accountability. Charlotte’s story is one that should never be forgotten, as it serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind closed doors. Her legacy will live on in the fight to protect children from harm and ensure that those who inflict such cruelty are held responsible for their actions.

While the surviving son’s path forward is uncertain, one thing is clear: the abuse he suffered will not go unnoticed. As the legal proceedings continue and Buskey faces his sentence, the hope is that this case will inspire a deeper commitment to protecting children and preventing abuse in all its forms.

The sentence handed down to Buskey will not undo the damage he caused or bring back Charlotte, but it is a small step toward justice for a young girl who never had the chance to grow up and live a life full of love and possibility. For Charlotte, and for all children who suffer at the hands of their abusers, there must be a continued commitment to justice, accountability, and change