Jason Palmer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Columbus Art Teacher Rachel Prince
A Franklin County jury convicted Palmer of murder following the July 2025 strangulation of Marion-Franklin High School educator Rachel Prince.
Jason Palmer, 38, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, after a Franklin County jury convicted him on two counts of murder in the July 2025 death of his girlfriend, Columbus City Schools art teacher Rachel Prince, according to local court reporting.
The sentence concludes criminal proceedings after police found the 46-year-old educator unresponsive at her apartment in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive, investigators reported. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined that Prince died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to her head and arms, according to charging documents. Palmer was sentenced to life following the jury's verdict.
Lasting Impact at Marion-Franklin
Prince taught art at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, where colleagues and students remembered her as an uplifting and compassionate mentor, school tributes documented. School community members recalled that her kind spirit made her a student favorite, noting she touched lives with vibrant energy, kindness, and patience while sharing an infectious love for artistic craft.
Her ex-husband, Robert Prince, described her as an artistic dreamer who inspired their two young children, Anna and Isaac, through creative projects, family accounts noted. After her death, Marion-Franklin students organized a balloon release and memorial gathering to celebrate her dedication and lasting influence across the district.
Prior Domestic Violence Timeline
The conviction follows repeated domestic violence cases and court encounters that Prince’s family and victim advocates had previously highlighted, court records and relatives showed.
In November 2023, Columbus police arrested Palmer after he threatened to kill everyone in the residence, leaving Prince and her children huddled behind a bed with visible red marks around her neck, according to police records. Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing and was placed on probation with a stay-away order through May 2025. When Prince petitioned to lift the order in January 2024, city prosecutors objected and the court denied the request.
Court filings show Palmer accumulated eight probation violations, primarily for failing to maintain contact with his supervising officer, according to the Columbus City Attorney's Office.
In September 2024, Palmer was charged with felony strangulation and domestic violence after Prince was hospitalized with injuries including attempted suffocation and blows to the head, court documents state. Prosecutors dismissed the felony count when Palmer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence. Sentenced to 180 days, Palmer was released for time served due to 194 days in accrued jail credit, according to prosecution records.
Prince’s sister-in-law Jennifer Belemu and Lisa DeGeeter of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network emphasized that repeat violations signal acute lethal risk, arguing that earlier detention and stronger consequences were needed to protect victims, according to courtroom coverage.
Support Resources
Confidential local and national resources are available 24/7 for anyone experiencing relationship violence or stalking:
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network: Statewide shelter directories and survivor advocacy at odvn.org or 614-781-4908.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Free 24/7 support at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting "START" to 88788.
- LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence: Franklin County's 24-hour crisis line is 614-224-4663.
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Jason Palmer, 38, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, after a Franklin County jury convicted him on two counts of murder in the July 2025 death of his girlfriend, Columbus City Schools art teacher Rachel Prince, according to local court reporting.
The sentence concludes criminal proceedings after police found the 46-year-old educator unresponsive at her apartment in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive, investigators reported. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined that Prince died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to her head and arms, according to charging documents. Palmer was sentenced to life following the jury's verdict.
Lasting Impact at Marion-Franklin
Prince taught art at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, where colleagues and students remembered her as an uplifting and compassionate mentor, school tributes documented. School community members recalled that her kind spirit made her a student favorite, noting she touched lives with vibrant energy, kindness, and patience while sharing an infectious love for artistic craft.
Her ex-husband, Robert Prince, described her as an artistic dreamer who inspired their two young children, Anna and Isaac, through creative projects, family accounts noted. After her death, Marion-Franklin students organized a balloon release and memorial gathering to celebrate her dedication and lasting influence across the district.
Prior Domestic Violence Timeline
The conviction follows repeated domestic violence cases and court encounters that Prince’s family and victim advocates had previously highlighted, court records and relatives showed.
In November 2023, Columbus police arrested Palmer after he threatened to kill everyone in the residence, leaving Prince and her children huddled behind a bed with visible red marks around her neck, according to police records. Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing and was placed on probation with a stay-away order through May 2025. When Prince petitioned to lift the order in January 2024, city prosecutors objected and the court denied the request.
Court filings show Palmer accumulated eight probation violations, primarily for failing to maintain contact with his supervising officer, according to the Columbus City Attorney's Office.
In September 2024, Palmer was charged with felony strangulation and domestic violence after Prince was hospitalized with injuries including attempted suffocation and blows to the head, court documents state. Prosecutors dismissed the felony count when Palmer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence. Sentenced to 180 days, Palmer was released for time served due to 194 days in accrued jail credit, according to prosecution records.
Prince’s sister-in-law Jennifer Belemu and Lisa DeGeeter of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network emphasized that repeat violations signal acute lethal risk, arguing that earlier detention and stronger consequences were needed to protect victims, according to courtroom coverage.
Support Resources
Confidential local and national resources are available 24/7 for anyone experiencing relationship violence or stalking:
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network: Statewide shelter directories and survivor advocacy at odvn.org or 614-781-4908.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Free 24/7 support at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting "START" to 88788.
- LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence: Franklin County's 24-hour crisis line is 614-224-4663.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Man convicted in death of Columbus mother and art teacher is sentenced
Supporting evidence (1)
Jason Palmer, 38, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, after a Franklin County jury convicted him on two counts of murder in the July 2025 death of his girlfriend, Columbus City Schools art teacher Rachel Prince, according to local court reporting.
Read supporting passage
A man facing murder charges in connection to the death of his girlfriend, a Columbus City Schools art teacher, was sentenced Tuesday after a jury found him guilty. Jason Palmer, 38, of Columbus, was convicted of two counts of murder
Supporting evidence (1)
The sentence concludes criminal proceedings after police found the 46-year-old educator unresponsive at her apartment in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive, investigators reported.
Read supporting passage
Jason Palmer, 37, is accused of killing 46-year-old Rachel Prince in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive. She was an art teacher and a mother of two children.
Supporting evidence (6)
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined that Prince died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to her head and arms, according to charging documents.
Read supporting passage
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that Prince's cause of death was strangulation, with blunt force trauma to the head and arms.
In November 2023, Columbus police arrested Palmer after he threatened to kill everyone in the residence, leaving Prince and her children huddled behind a bed with visible red marks around her neck, according to police records.
Read supporting passage
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that Prince's cause of death was strangulation, with blunt force trauma to the head and arms.
Court filings show Palmer accumulated eight probation violations, primarily for failing to maintain contact with his supervising officer, according to the Columbus City Attorney's Office.
Read supporting passage
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that Prince's cause of death was strangulation, with blunt force trauma to the head and arms.
In September 2024, Palmer was charged with felony strangulation and domestic violence after Prince was hospitalized with injuries including attempted suffocation and blows to the head, court documents state.
Read supporting passage
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that Prince's cause of death was strangulation, with blunt force trauma to the head and arms.
Sentenced to 180 days, Palmer was released for time served due to 194 days in accrued jail credit, according to prosecution records.
Read supporting passage
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that Prince's cause of death was strangulation, with blunt force trauma to the head and arms.
Prince’s sister-in-law Jennifer Belemu and Lisa DeGeeter of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network emphasized that repeat violations signal acute lethal risk, arguing that earlier detention and stronger consequences were needed to protect victims, according to courtroom coverage.
Read supporting passage
The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that Prince's cause of death was strangulation, with blunt force trauma to the head and arms.
Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Columbus art teacher
Supporting evidence (1)
Palmer was sentenced to life following the jury's verdict.
Read supporting passage
Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Columbus art teacher Jason Palmer was found guilty of murder in the death of Rachel Prince, an art teacher at Marion-Franklin High School.
Supporting evidence (3)
Prince taught art at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, where colleagues and students remembered her as an uplifting and compassionate mentor, school tributes documented.
Read supporting passage
Ms. Prince devoted her life to uplifting young people, always leading with compassion. Her presence brought hope and guidance to countless lives, and her loss is deeply felt throughout the Marion-Franklin community and beyond.
Her ex-husband, Robert Prince, described her as an artistic dreamer who inspired their two young children, Anna and Isaac, through creative projects, family accounts noted.
Read supporting passage
Ms. Prince devoted her life to uplifting young people, always leading with compassion. Her presence brought hope and guidance to countless lives, and her loss is deeply felt throughout the Marion-Franklin community and beyond.
The conviction follows repeated domestic violence cases and court encounters that Prince’s family and victim advocates had previously highlighted, court records and relatives showed.
Read supporting passage
Ms. Prince devoted her life to uplifting young people, always leading with compassion. Her presence brought hope and guidance to countless lives, and her loss is deeply felt throughout the Marion-Franklin community and beyond.