Lily, KY, Mom Kira Asher, 19, and Teen Jadence Hale Shot Dead by Boyfriend James Priddy Following Knox County Domestic Dispute

Two young Kentucky women lost their lives late Saturday night in a devastating incident that shook the communities of Laurel and Knox counties.

Kira Lila Hope Asher, 19, of Lily, and Jadence Ann Marie Hale, 18, of Flat Lick, were shot and killed by 21-year-old James Priddy of Bimble in what investigators are calling a murder-suicide following a violent high-speed police chase.

The night began as an ordinary outing. Family members said the three had left a home in Barbourville to get food. Concern quickly grew when Priddy refused to allow Asher and Hale to exit his red Chevrolet Cobalt. Relatives contacted authorities, and Barbourville police responded to reports of a domestic dispute in Knox County.

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At around 10:28 p.m., officers attempted to pull over the Cobalt. Priddy refused to stop. What followed was a terrifying high-speed pursuit that pushed past 100 miles per hour as the vehicle traveled from Knox County into neighboring Laurel County.

Multiple agencies joined the chase, including the Barbourville Police Department, the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, the Corbin Police Department, and the Kentucky State Police.

The pursuit came to a violent end on Kentucky Route 312 in the Keavy community of southern Laurel County. The Cobalt struck a Barbourville police cruiser before colliding head-on with a Chevrolet Tahoe. When officers approached the wreckage, they found all three occupants dead inside the vehicle.

Coroner Rules Deaths as Homicides

Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling confirmed that Asher and Hale died from gunshot wounds and ruled their deaths homicides. Priddy’s death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators believe Priddy shot both women before taking his own life. Authorities noted that Hale had allegedly been in a romantic relationship with Priddy.

The investigation remains active and is being handled jointly by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and the Barbourville Police Department.

The tragedy has left both communities in deep mourning. Friends and neighbors took to social media to express their grief and share memories of the two young women taken far too soon.

Tasha Disney, a community member who knew Asher personally, wrote about the impact the news had on her family. She described Asher as a kind-hearted and loving soul, noting that she had a young daughter who must now grow up without her mother.

She also mentioned that a family friend had worked alongside Asher’s grandmother for 15 years, making the loss feel even more personal for those close to her. Breaking the news to her own children, she said, broke their little hearts.

Asher leaves behind a baby girl, nieces and nephews, and a community that clearly loved her deeply. Friends remembered her warmth and the light she brought to those around her.

Hale’s family is also mourning the sudden and senseless loss of their daughter.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.