In the late evening of Wednesday, September 30, 2015, the life of 19-year-old Jasmine C. Hayslett was tragically cut short in what would be determined as a murder-suicide. The female victim was discovered deceased from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle parked on Cherry Hill Drive in Staunton, Virginia. The investigation into her death quickly unfolded as Staunton Police, who were at the scene investigating a report of a possible body in a vehicle at 8:17 p.m., heard a gunshot from a nearby
residence.
Upon entering the nearby home, authorities found the body of 19-year-old Zachary A. Ham, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The subsequent investigation by the Staunton Police Department and the Augusta County Sheriff's Office concluded that the two incidents were related. It was determined that Hayslett had been shot in Augusta County, in the 2300 block of Stuarts Draft Highway, before her vehicle was left in Staunton. Investigators announced that they were not seeking any other suspects in connection with Hayslett's murder, as the evidence pointed to Ham as the perpetrator.
Further details emerged that painted a grim picture of a troubled relationship. Just over a week before the fatal incident, on September 22, Ham had been charged with domestic assault against Hayslett. She had reported to the Waynesboro police that Ham had threatened to kill her, which led to a protective order being issued against him. This order legally prohibited him from having any contact with Hayslett and from possessing a firearm. Despite these legal measures, the tragedy unfolded, leaving behind a grieving family and community. Hayslett was a 2014 graduate of Fort Defiance High School and was a manager at Zeus Theater in Waynesboro. She was remembered as a loving mother to her young son.
