A late-night request to “hang out” turned into a calculated triple homicide on March 22, leaving a young man and both of his parents dead in Crete Township, Illinois. Authorities have charged 30-year-old Jenna Strouble with multiple counts of first-degree murder following a cross-border killing spree that investigators say was fueled by long-standing custody disputes.
The violence began under the guise of a reconciliation. According to police, Strouble contacted her ex-partner, 32-year-old Jacob Lambert, and arranged to meet him.
During the encounter, investigators say Strouble offered Lambert a back massage. As he lay face down, she allegedly pulled a gun and shot him in the back of the head.
Strouble then drove to the home of Lambert’s parents on the 3400 block of East Norway Trail. When 55-year-old Patrick Forde opened the front door, Strouble reportedly opened fire from the porch, striking him multiple times as she forced her way inside.
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His wife, 54-year-old Stacy Forde, was shot as she came downstairs to see what was happening.
Will County deputies discovered the scene at approximately 2:00 a.m. on March 23 during a welfare check. They found Jacob Lambert deceased in a vehicle in the driveway, while his parents were found just inside the home near the entrance.
The investigation quickly shifted to St. John, Indiana, where Strouble fled after the shootings. Police say she confessed to the crimes to a family member, who then alerted authorities.
Strouble surrendered to officers at her home, handing over a firearm equipped with a suppressor. Ballistics tests later confirmed the weapon matched the shell samples found at both crime scenes.
Records show Strouble purchased the handgun in December 2025. Investigators noted that while she and Lambert shared children, the relationship was marked by “ongoing tensions” regarding their care.
Strouble reportedly admitted to detectives that she had planned to harm Lambert prior to their meeting. She remains in custody as the legal proceedings begin.
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