A tragic family story unfolded in Oklahoma City, leaving many in shock and disbelief. Jacob Mayhugh, a 22-year-old man, confessed to killing three members of his own family—his parents and sister—and has now been sentenced to three life terms in prison without any chance of parole.
It all began on May 10, when Jacob’s mother, Patty Mayhugh, 54, sent him a text inviting him over for a family dinner at their home. She mentioned there was pizza ready for everyone. Jacob told his girlfriend he was heading to his parents’ place, but instead of joining his family for the meal, he arrived armed with an AR-15-style rifle and opened fire. His mother, father James Mayhugh, 55, and sister Shayla Mayhugh, 28, were all fatally shot. The pizza was left untouched on the counter, a haunting reminder of the night’s events.
The next day, neighbors noticed something wasn’t right. They saw spent shell casings outside the family’s home and called 911. When police arrived, they found Patty’s body near the doorway. Inside the living room, they discovered James and Shayla. All three had died from gunshot wounds.
Jacob didn’t stick around after the attack. Instead, he fled the scene, sparking a search that lasted several days. His car was spotted on surveillance cameras in Oklahoma City, and his girlfriend helped police identify him. Investigators eventually found the vehicle abandoned, and inside, they discovered two loaded AR-15 magazines with handwritten notes on them in white paint.
On May 14, Jacob was arrested with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation. When police caught up with him, they learned he had purchased the rifle just weeks before and may have been planning other violent acts. A judge later denied him bond, citing the severity of his crimes and the fact that he fled after committing them.
Jacob was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and held at the Grady County Criminal Justice Authority. On December 23, he stood before a judge, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. By doing so, he avoided the death penalty in exchange for three consecutive life sentences without parole.
This heartbreaking case has left the Oklahoma City community shaken. A family get-together that was meant to bring loved ones together ended in unimaginable tragedy. Now, Jacob Mayhugh will spend the rest of his life behind bars, reflecting on the irreversible damage he caused.
