In the small community of Phippsburg, Colorado, a heart-wrenching event unfolded, leaving a family and community in mourning. Seven-year-old Jessi Hill, a young female, tragically lost her life in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. She was found alongside her younger sister, 3-year-old Summer Hill, and their 45-year-old father, James 'Jake' Hill.
The devastating discovery was made by Routt County Sheriff's deputies who were conducting a welfare check at the family's home in the 21000 block of 4th Avenue.
The preliminary investigation led law enforcement to believe that James Hill took the lives of his two young daughters before taking his own. At the time of the incident, Jessi and her sister were visiting their father. The girls primarily lived with their mother, Tierny Kay Miller in Cedaredge. Reports indicate that the parents were separated and involved in a child custody dispute that had been filed in Delta County the previous October.
In the wake of this profound loss, there has been an outpouring of support for the girls' mother and family. A close family friend initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the unexpected funeral expenses, as the children did not have life insurance. The community's response was one of immense grief and solidarity, with plans for a candlelight vigil and balloon release to honor the memories of Jessi and Summer. The Routt County Sheriff's Office has stated that this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing danger to the community. The investigation concluded that James 'Jake' Hill was the sole suspect in the deaths of his daughters.
