Bluegrass musician, 26, from ‘Wife Swap’ family charged with murdering his mother and brother

Jacob Stockdale, 26, turned himself into Ohio authorities Thursday

A bluegrass musician accused of killing his mother and brother and then turning the gun on himself has been charged with two counts of murder.

Jacob Stockdale, 26, turned himself in Thursday for the June 2017 slayings of his mother Kathryn, 54, and younger brother James, 21 on the family’s farm home near Beach City, Ohio.

Stark County prosecutor waited until this week to charge Stockdale until he’d sufficiently recovered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after allegedly shooting dead his relatives.

Stockdale was a celebrated fiddler and along with his father and slain brother performed together in the bluegrass-themed Stockdale Family Band.

The Stockdale family was featured on ABC’s reality TV show Wife Swap in 2008.   

Authorities have not offered a motive for the slayings.

Neighbors said they heard between 10 and 12 shots between at the family’s 150-year-old farm.

Stockdale, a champion fiddler, is charged with two counts of murder for killing his mother and brother

Stockdale, a champion fiddler, is charged with two counts of murder for killing his mother and brother

His family was featured on the ABC reality TV show Wife Swap in 2008, (pictured on the show)

His family was featured on the ABC reality TV show Wife Swap in 2008, (pictured on the show)

His mother Kathryn, 54, (pictured) and younger brother James, 21, were killed  on the family's farm home near Beach City, Ohio

His mother Kathryn, 54, (pictured) and younger brother James, 21, were killed  on the family's farm home near Beach City, Ohio

His mother Kathryn, 54, (pictured) and younger brother James, 21, were killed on the family’s farm home near Beach City, Ohio

Michaela Madison of Stark County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘Upon arrival, deputies cautiously approached the front door of the home, at which time they could see a male victim through the open door. 

‘The alleged suspect, 25-year-old Jacob Timothy Stockdale, suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.’

Timothy Stockdale, the family patriarch, wasn’t home at the time of the shooting, and two other sons live in a different town. 

Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier said Timothy ‘indicated there were no issues leading up to’ the incident.

According to the family biography, they were ‘fed up with city living and mass culture’ moved to a farm in Ohio ‘to begin a new, wholesome life’.

The family’s four sons Calvin, Charles, Jacob and James were all home schooled and ‘adhere[d] to wholesome values, untainted by modern culture’.

The profile added: ‘The boys have little or no interaction with the outside world, and dating is out of the question, including for Calvin, who is 19 at the time’.

Stockdale along with his father and slain brother performed together in the bluegrass-themed Stockdale Family Band. The suspect is pictured second from left while his brother James 21, is second from right 

Stockdale along with his father and slain brother performed together in the bluegrass-themed Stockdale Family Band. The suspect is pictured second from left while his brother James 21, is second from right 

Timothy Stockdale released a statement regarding his late wife after last year’s slayings, according to Michah Derry, the family’s spokesman: ‘Kathy has been my beloved wife of 32 years and a wonderful mother to our four sons… She had a strong love of learning and was passionate about her Christian faith, natural health, and organic farming.’

Timothy played in a bluegrass band with his four sons until older siblings Calvin and Charles moved away. The three remaining members then started playing with family friend Joe Steiner.

The band performed just two days before the shooting at Wild Cat Ranch and had concerts scheduled throughout the summer. Kathryn, the mother, worked as the band’s manager and helped book all concerts. 

The Stark County Sheriff's Office charged Stockdale Thursday, Jacob pictured second left 

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office charged Stockdale Thursday, Jacob pictured second left 

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