In the small, quiet town of Laurel, Nebraska, a community of fewer than 1,000 people, the morning of August 4, 2022, was shattered by violence that would leave four residents dead. Among the victims was Gene Twiford, an 86-year-old White male, who was tragically killed in his own home. Firefighters, initially responding to reports of an explosion and fire, discovered the bodies of Gene, his wife Janet, age 85, and their 55-year-old daughter, Dana. A short time later, another fire was reported a few blocks away, where authorities found the body of 53-year-old Michele Ebeling. It was determined that all four victims had been shot.
The investigation quickly led to a neighbor of Ebeling's, 42-year-old Jason Jones, who was arrested the following day. Jones was subsequently charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of arson, and multiple weapons violations. During the investigation, a motive began to surface that was rooted in alleged harassment. Jones's wife, Carrie Jones, claimed that Gene Twiford had been verbally harassing her. Investigators uncovered text messages exchanged between the couple as early as March 2022, in which they discussed killing Twiford.
Prosecutors allege that on the night of the murders, Jason Jones went to the Twiford residence and shot Gene Twiford. He reportedly told his wife later that he was surprised to find Janet and Dana Twiford in the home, whom he also killed. Following the events at the Twiford's, Jones is said to have gone to the home of Michele Ebeling, whom his wife had described as "weird" and who had made her uncomfortable by staring at her from across the street. He then shot Ebeling before setting both homes on fire. In September 2024, Jason Jones was convicted on four counts of first-degree murder and faces a sentence of either life in prison or the death penalty. His wife, Carrie Jones, has also been charged in connection with the crimes, accused of aiding and abetting in the murder of Gene Twiford and being an accessory to the other homicides. Her trial was scheduled to take place in Madison County.
