Topline: Authorities allege the suspect killed her on-and-off boyfriend and his parents before allegedly making incriminating statements to detectives.
Published: March 26, 2026 8:16 am ET
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Jenna Strouble (via Will County Sheriff's Office)
CRETE TOWNSHIP, IL — A 30-year-old Indiana woman is facing nine counts of first-degree murder after authorities say she fatally shot her on-and-off boyfriend and his parents during a targeted attack at their home in unincorporated Crete.
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Jenna Strouble, of St. John, Indiana, was charged Tuesday in connection with the March 23 triple homicide. The victims were identified by the Will County Coroner’s Office as 32-year-old Jacob Lambert, 54-year-old Stacy Forde and 55-year-old Patrick Forde.
Deputies were dispatched around 2 a.m. Monday to a home in the 3400 block of East Norway Trail for a welfare check requested by a concerned family member, according to the sheriff’s office.
When officers arrived, they discovered Lambert dead inside a car in the driveway, while his parents were found shot to death inside the home on the first floor near the front door.
Investigators believe the violence was not random. The sheriff’s office said the preliminary investigation indicates the killings were a targeted incident, and that Strouble made “incriminating statements” during interviews following the homicides. Authorities also recovered a firearm they say matches the weapon used in the killings.
Strouble and Lambert had an on-and-off relationship and shared children together, according to the sheriff’s office.
After the shootings, investigators say Strouble fled the scene to her home in St. John, Indiana. She was later taken into custody there by local police, with assistance from the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office, according to authorities.
Strouble remains held at the Lake County, Indiana jail as she awaits extradition back to Illinois to face the charges, officials said.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Roeda, a Lynwood-based sign company where Stacy Forde worked, mourned the loss of the family, WBBM reported.
“It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of our own Stacy Forde, her loving husband Patrick Forde, and eldest son Jake Lambert,” the post read. “As the Director of Finance, Stacy took her role here seriously and was the backbone of Roeda for 21.5 years.”
The company described Stacy Forde as a “wonderful woman who deeply valued her marriage, her children, her grandchildren, and her relationship with Christ.”
The Will County Sheriff’s Office thanked the St. John Police Department and the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation, citing their “quick response and full assistance” and commitment to bringing justice in the case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Police Say Woman Fled State After Killing Boyfriend and His Parents
Authorities allege the suspect killed her on-and-off boyfriend and his parents before allegedly making incriminating statements to detectives.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 26, 2026 8:16 am ET
Jenna Strouble (via Will County Sheriff's Office)
CRETE TOWNSHIP, IL — A 30-year-old Indiana woman is facing nine counts of first-degree murder after authorities say she fatally shot her on-and-off boyfriend and his parents during a targeted attack at their home in unincorporated Crete.
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Jenna Strouble, of St. John, Indiana, was charged Tuesday in connection with the March 23 triple homicide. The victims were identified by the Will County Coroner’s Office as 32-year-old Jacob Lambert, 54-year-old Stacy Forde and 55-year-old Patrick Forde.
Deputies were dispatched around 2 a.m. Monday to a home in the 3400 block of East Norway Trail for a welfare check requested by a concerned family member, according to the sheriff’s office.
When officers arrived, they discovered Lambert dead inside a car in the driveway, while his parents were found shot to death inside the home on the first floor near the front door.
Investigators believe the violence was not random. The sheriff’s office said the preliminary investigation indicates the killings were a targeted incident, and that Strouble made “incriminating statements” during interviews following the homicides. Authorities also recovered a firearm they say matches the weapon used in the killings.
Strouble and Lambert had an on-and-off relationship and shared children together, according to the sheriff’s office.
After the shootings, investigators say Strouble fled the scene to her home in St. John, Indiana. She was later taken into custody there by local police, with assistance from the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office, according to authorities.
Strouble remains held at the Lake County, Indiana jail as she awaits extradition back to Illinois to face the charges, officials said.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Roeda, a Lynwood-based sign company where Stacy Forde worked, mourned the loss of the family, WBBM reported.
“It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of our own Stacy Forde, her loving husband Patrick Forde, and eldest son Jake Lambert,” the post read. “As the Director of Finance, Stacy took her role here seriously and was the backbone of Roeda for 21.5 years.”
The company described Stacy Forde as a “wonderful woman who deeply valued her marriage, her children, her grandchildren, and her relationship with Christ.”
The Will County Sheriff’s Office thanked the St. John Police Department and the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation, citing their “quick response and full assistance” and commitment to bringing justice in the case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police Say Woman Fled State After Killing Boyfriend and His Parents
Authorities allege the suspect killed her on-and-off boyfriend and his parents before allegedly making incriminating statements to detectives.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 26, 2026 8:16 am ET
Jenna Strouble (via Will County Sheriff's Office)
CRETE TOWNSHIP, IL — A 30-year-old Indiana woman is facing nine counts of first-degree murder after authorities say she fatally shot her on-and-off boyfriend and his parents during a targeted attack at their home in unincorporated Crete.
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Jenna Strouble, of St. John, Indiana, was charged Tuesday in connection with the March 23 triple homicide. The victims were identified by the Will County Coroner’s Office as 32-year-old Jacob Lambert, 54-year-old Stacy Forde and 55-year-old Patrick Forde.
Deputies were dispatched around 2 a.m. Monday to a home in the 3400 block of East Norway Trail for a welfare check requested by a concerned family member, according to the sheriff’s office.
When officers arrived, they discovered Lambert dead inside a car in the driveway, while his parents were found shot to death inside the home on the first floor near the front door.
Investigators believe the violence was not random. The sheriff’s office said the preliminary investigation indicates the killings were a targeted incident, and that Strouble made “incriminating statements” during interviews following the homicides. Authorities also recovered a firearm they say matches the weapon used in the killings.
Strouble and Lambert had an on-and-off relationship and shared children together, according to the sheriff’s office.
After the shootings, investigators say Strouble fled the scene to her home in St. John, Indiana. She was later taken into custody there by local police, with assistance from the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office, according to authorities.
Strouble remains held at the Lake County, Indiana jail as she awaits extradition back to Illinois to face the charges, officials said.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Roeda, a Lynwood-based sign company where Stacy Forde worked, mourned the loss of the family, WBBM reported.
“It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of our own Stacy Forde, her loving husband Patrick Forde, and eldest son Jake Lambert,” the post read. “As the Director of Finance, Stacy took her role here seriously and was the backbone of Roeda for 21.5 years.”
The company described Stacy Forde as a “wonderful woman who deeply valued her marriage, her children, her grandchildren, and her relationship with Christ.”
The Will County Sheriff’s Office thanked the St. John Police Department and the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation, citing their “quick response and full assistance” and commitment to bringing justice in the case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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