BREAKING: Court filings reveal Jenna Strouble admitted she went to see Jacob Lambert “with intention to harm him” — phone records show she texted him to “hang out” just hours before the killings… but what happened next is still unfolding

New court documents in the shocking triple homicide case in Crete Township, Illinois, have shed disturbing light on the premeditated nature of the alleged attacks. Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, stands charged with nine counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her on-again, off-again partner Jacob Q. Lambert, 32, and his parents, Stacy J. Forde, 54, and Patrick J. Forde, 55.

fox32chicago.com

Indiana woman accused in Crete Township killings extradited to Illinois | FOX 32 Chicago

According to prosecutors, Strouble explicitly admitted to investigators that she went to meet Lambert “with an intention” to harm him. Phone records and her own statements detail how she texted him asking if he wanted to “hang out and go for a drive” on the evening of March 22, 2026 — a message that appeared casual on the surface but, authorities say, masked a deadly plan.

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Suburban mom accused of killing ex, his parents after ‘hang out’ text, confession revealed in docs: report

The Text and the Meeting: From “Hang Out” to Alleged Execution

Court filings indicate Strouble contacted Lambert around 11 p.m. or shortly after, proposing they hang out. She picked him up sometime after 11 p.m. The pair drove to the area of Plum Creek Nature Preserve in Sauk Village, but when it was closed, Strouble allegedly pulled over along Burnham Road.

There, she offered Lambert a “surprise” — a back massage. Prosecutors say Lambert lay face-down in the passenger seat of her vehicle with the seat reclined. Strouble then allegedly retrieved a Glock 19 handgun fitted with a suppressor (which she admitted purchasing months earlier specifically for this purpose) and held it to the back of his head for approximately eight minutes while continuing the massage.

During this time, Strouble reportedly told investigators she nearly changed her mind and considered postponing the act, but ultimately fired a single shot to the back of Lambert’s head. His body was later found in a 2014 Ford Fusion in the driveway/cul-de-sac area near the family home on East Norway Trail.

abc7chicago.com

St. John, Indiana woman Jenna Strouble charged with murder after Jacob Q. Lambert, Stacy, Patrick Forde found dead in Crete Twp. – ABC7 Chicago

Strouble allegedly admitted she went to the meeting with the intention to hurt him but claimed she “didn’t expect to have the nerve to do it.” She also lamented poor communication in their relationship, describing it as limited to small talk despite their occasional intimate encounters and shared parenting responsibilities.

Escalation at the Family Home

After the alleged shooting of Lambert, Strouble reportedly drove to the Forde-Lambert residence in the 3400 block of East Norway Trail in unincorporated Crete Township, part of Will County south of Chicago. Patrick Forde answered the door, and she opened fire, striking him multiple times near the dining area. Stacy Forde was found dead on the stairs near the front door. Spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, indicating a rapid and intense attack.

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Indiana woman accused of killing children’s father, his parents in Chicago suburb; new info revealed | FOX 32 Chicago

When asked by investigators whether she went to the parents’ home to “finish her plan” because she did not want them to gain custody of the children, Strouble allegedly responded, “Yeah, pretty much.” Prosecutors noted her stated motives centered on a “general dislike,” including dissatisfaction with how Lambert spoke to their two young children (a 4-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son) and her perception that his parents were overbearing.

Strouble reportedly also considered harming her own parents, expressing concerns about the children’s safety in their care, though she did not act on that. Court documents mention she wrote a note the night before the killings, naming individuals to care for her children, and later called her sister to confess what she had done. Her sister then contacted authorities.

Arrest and Incriminating Statements

Strouble returned to her home in St. John, Indiana, after the shootings. When deputies arrived, she allegedly came outside and handed them a bag containing the loaded Glock 19 with suppressor. She waived her rights and provided detailed statements to Will County Sheriff’s detectives, which form the basis of much of the evidence outlined in court filings.

She was arrested on March 24, 2026, and charged with nine counts of first-degree murder (multiple counts per victim). Strouble waived extradition from Indiana and is being held in the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet. A detention hearing has emphasized the premeditation, including the prior gun purchase in December 2025 and the suppressor bought online for around $589.

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Woman in custody after 3 people found dead inside Crete Township home – Shaw Local

A Turbulent Relationship and Family Context

Jacob Lambert and Jenna Strouble shared two young children and had maintained an on-and-off romantic and co-parenting relationship since approximately 2020. Family members described Lambert as a devoted father working on sobriety and stability. Strouble had voluntarily turned the children over to Lambert and his family earlier but had recently regained access.

In January 2025, deputies responded to a domestic battery call at their shared residence, leading to Strouble’s involuntary mental health commitment. Prosecutors have highlighted the high-conflict nature of the co-parenting dynamic as a backdrop to the tragedy, though they stress the targeted and planned character of the alleged crimes.

The killings devastated a quiet suburban neighborhood. Neighbors reported hearing gunfire, and the discovery during a welfare check around 2 a.m. on March 23 left the community in mourning. A wake and vigils highlighted tributes to the victims’ close family bonds.

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Neighbors mourn Crete family killed in triple homicide

Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Strouble appeared in court without an attorney initially and requested time for representation. Subsequent hearings have been postponed as the case develops. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention, citing the severity of the charges, the detailed confessions, and Strouble’s statements about considering further violence.

Investigators continue to analyze phone records, vehicle data, potential surveillance, and forensic evidence to corroborate timelines and intent. The suppressor and gun purchase are key elements supporting premeditation arguments.

The two young children have lost their father and grandparents in unimaginable circumstances. Extended family members are stepping in amid the legal process, with the community rallying in support.

This case underscores the profound dangers that can emerge from strained domestic and co-parenting relationships, especially when compounded by unresolved conflicts and mental health factors. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information to contact the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

As more details emerge in court, the full picture of what unfolded on March 22–23, 2026, remains under intense scrutiny. The victims — Jacob Lambert, a father striving to rebuild, and his parents Stacy and Patrick Forde, loving grandparents — are remembered for their family-oriented lives in a neighborhood where such violence was unthinkable.