In the spring of 2019, the life of 19-year-old Jackie Coleman was tragically cut short in a violent act that stunned the small community of Rocky Ford, Colorado. The young woman, a recent graduate of Coronado High School, had moved to the town with her 23-year-old fiancé, Austin Gaus, just a few months before her death. Their relationship, which began after they met on a dating app, moved quickly, with the couple getting engaged only three weeks after meeting.
Behind the scenes,
however, a tumultuous and controlling dynamic was unfolding. According to Jackie's mother, Charlotte, Gaus exhibited disturbing behavior early on, isolating Jackie from her family and friends. In a chilling display of control, he allegedly destroyed a new phone her mother had given her for Christmas, forbidding her from having one. The family grew increasingly concerned as Gaus's influence seemed to sever Jackie's connections to her support system, with him reportedly expressing his intention to prevent her from having any contact with them.
The situation reached a devastating climax on a Tuesday evening. In a desperate plea for help, Jackie managed to get on a conference call with her mother and brother. She confessed that Gaus was threatening to kill both her and himself and that she needed to escape. As her mother was arranging for a ride to bring her home, the call was brutally interrupted by the sound of a scream and three gunshots, followed by an abrupt silence.
When law enforcement arrived at the residence, they discovered the bodies of both Jackie Coleman and Austin Gaus. The investigation concluded that Gaus had shot Jackie five times before turning the gun on himself in a murder-suicide. The tragic event left a family heartbroken and served as a grim reminder of the potential dangers of domestic violence.
