The quiet stretch of Crete Township turned into a scene of shock early Monday after three lives were taken in what investigators are calling a targeted attack. Authorities say 32-year-old Jacob Lambert, along with his mother, 54-year-old Stacy Forde, and her husband, 55-year-old Patrick Forde, were found dead at a home on Norway Trail. The case has quickly drawn attention across state lines, as a woman closely tied to the family now faces multiple murder charges.
Deputies were first called out around 2 a.m. for a welfare check at the residence. What they found was deeply unsettling. Lambert was discovered lifeless inside a car parked in the driveway, while Stacy and Patrick Forde were found just inside the home near the front door. The placement of the victims suggested something sudden and violent had unfolded within a short span of time.
Investigators with the Will County Sheriff’s Office moved fast. Within hours, they identified a suspect: 30-year-old Jenna Strouble of St. John, Indiana. Authorities say Strouble had an on-and-off relationship with Lambert, and the two shared two young children, just 3 and 4 years old. That personal connection now sits at the center of what detectives believe was not a random act, but a deliberate one.
According to officials, Strouble allegedly made statements during questioning that raised serious concern. Detectives also recovered a firearm believed to be tied directly to the killings. While the exact causes of death have not yet been formally released, investigators say the evidence points to a coordinated and intentional act.
After the incident, Strouble reportedly left the scene and returned to her home in Indiana. Law enforcement tracked her down there, and she was taken into custody without further incident. She is currently being held in Lake County, Indiana, awaiting extradition back to Illinois where she will face nine counts of first-degree murder.
For neighbors in Crete Township, the violence has been hard to process. This is the kind of community where people know each other, where a welfare check rarely turns into a triple homicide. Now, the focus shifts to the courtroom, where the details behind this tragedy are expected to come into sharper focus.
Authorities are also using this moment to stress something broader. Cases like this often grow out of complicated personal relationships, sometimes marked by conflict or instability. Officials are urging anyone dealing with domestic issues to seek help early, before situations escalate beyond control.
