Hyde charged with one-count of Murder (Domestic Violence)

A Breathitt County man is in custody after he said demons allegedly told him to kill his wife during what officials believe was a mental health episode.

Lance Denver Hyde, 42, of Watts, was arrested on Tuesday after a brief stand-off situation occurred with police at his home at Watts.  After Hyde had surrendered, officers found the body of Jessica (Campbell) on the second floor of the house, dead from apparent stab wounds.

According to officials, a 911 call asked for an ambulance at about 6:30 a.m. on March 11.  A relative heard Jessica Hyde scream for help and called for an ambulance after she screamed, “he is going to kill me.”  

When the ambulance arrived at the home off Leatherwood Road near the intersection of Highway 1278, Lance Hyde told them that he had locked his wife in a room and that he was “not letting anyone in because they were all demons.”

Medical officials determined that the scene was unsafe and left, asking for law enforcement assistance.

According to family members, Lance Hyde had struggled with mental health issues in the past and had been hospitalized for evaluation in the past.  He reportedly told individuals at the scene that he “stabbed the devil” and that “demons told him to do it.”

The Hydes were married on April 1, 2016, in ceremonies at the Breathitt County Courthouse.  The couple had one minor child, who was removed from the home on Monday morning by Social Services, who were called to the murder scene.

Jessica Ann (Campbell) Hyde was pronounced dead at the scene by the Breathitt County Coroner’s Office.  Her body was transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.

Hyde was placed under arrest and transported to Kentucky River Regional Jail where he was charged with one-count of Murder (Domestic Violence)

Lance Hyde remains in the Perry County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing in the Breathtitt District Court.

The incident is still under investigation by the Kentucky State Police.