New forensic and digital evidence is shedding additional light on the chaotic final moments in the triple homicide case involving Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, and the deaths of 32-year-old Jacob Lambert and his parents, 54-year-old Stacy Forde and 55-year-old Patrick Forde, in Crete Township, Illinois, on March 22–23, 2026.

According to sources close to the investigation, detectives recovered Jacob Lambert’s phone inside the vehicle where his body was found. The device was located approximately 7 feet from the driver’s seat — a position that has drawn scrutiny as investigators try to reconstruct the sequence of events inside the car. On the phone, authorities discovered one unopened text message sent by Strouble just minutes before the pair reportedly met up that night.

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Mugshots of Jenna Strouble (left and center) and a split image with Jacob Lambert (right). Strouble faces nine counts of first-degree murder in the targeted killings.

The Unopened Message and Phone Location

The content of the unopened message has not been publicly released, but its timing — sent shortly before Strouble allegedly picked up Lambert for what she described as a casual “hang out” or drive — adds to the growing body of digital evidence. Earlier reports detailed Strouble texting Lambert with phrases such as “just wanted to talk,” while Lambert had previously expressed distrust in a message to a friend: “I don’t trust her tonight.”

The unusual position of the phone, several feet away from the driver’s area in a vehicle where Lambert was allegedly shot in the passenger seat during a prolonged back massage, is now being analyzed. Investigators believe the phone’s location and any interaction (or lack thereof) with the incoming message could help clarify the timeline, possible struggle, or Lambert’s final actions before the alleged shooting.

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Crime scene views of the Forde family home on East Norway Trail in Crete Township. Police tape and sheriff’s vehicles marked the area after the welfare check revealed the bodies.

Recap of the Alleged Events

Prosecutors maintain that Strouble contacted Lambert on the evening of March 22, proposing they meet. She allegedly picked him up, drove to a secluded area (possibly near Plum Creek Nature Preserve), and offered him a “surprise” back massage. Lambert reportedly reclined face-down in the passenger seat while Strouble straddled his back. During the roughly 20-minute massage, she is said to have retrieved a Glock 19 fitted with a suppressor from under the seat, held it to the back of his head for several minutes (accounts cite around eight minutes), and then fired at point-blank range.

After the alleged shooting, Strouble reportedly drove the vehicle — with Lambert’s body inside — to his parents’ residence. When Patrick Forde opened the door, she allegedly opened fire immediately, killing both him and Stacy Forde near the front entrance with multiple shots (ballistics linked 13 shell casings to the recovered Glock).

Strouble then returned to her home in Indiana. When officers arrived, she reportedly came outside and handed them a bag containing the loaded Glock 19 with suppressor. She allegedly confessed key details to deputies, citing a “general dislike” of how Lambert spoke to their two young children (ages 4 and 3) and describing his parents as “overbearing.” She admitted going into the meeting with harmful intent.

A prior January 2025 incident at Strouble’s home involving domestic battery concerns and involuntary mental health commitment has also surfaced in court filings.

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Family photos of the victims: Stacy and Patrick Forde (left) with Jacob Lambert (right). The tragedy has left two young children without their father and paternal grandparents.

Fingerprint Evidence and Broader Investigation

This latest detail about the phone comes after reports that three separate fingerprints were recovered on the Glock 19. Two reportedly match Strouble, while the third does not belong to either her or Lambert — prompting further database checks for possible third-party involvement or prior handling of the weapon.

Forensic teams continue examining ballistics, vehicle evidence, CCTV footage, and additional digital records. The phone’s data, including the unopened message and its physical location inside the car, is expected to play a significant role in reconstructing the critical minutes inside the vehicle.

Legal Status

Strouble waived extradition from Indiana and remains held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet. She faces nine counts of first-degree murder. Court hearings, including a potential detention hearing under the SAFE-T Act, have faced delays due to scheduling conflicts with her defense attorney. Prosecutors argue she poses a danger to the community and have petitioned to deny pretrial release.

The two young children are currently in the care of extended family. The Crete Township community continues to grapple with the loss in what was once considered a quiet suburban neighborhood.

As more affidavits, forensic reports, and digital evidence are reviewed in court, additional clarity may emerge about the unopened message and the precise circumstances of Lambert’s final moments. Investigators urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

This remains a developing story. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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

Law enforcement presence at the crime scene residence. The investigation into the phone evidence, fingerprints, and timeline continues.