Investigators in the Will County triple homicide case have uncovered a new forensic detail that could complicate the narrative surrounding the deaths of 32-year-old Jacob Lambert and his parents, 54-year-old Stacy Forde and 55-year-old Patrick Forde.

According to sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, forensic examiners recovered three separate fingerprints on the Glock 19 (fitted with a suppressor) that was recovered from the vehicle associated with the crime. While two of the prints are consistent with Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, the third fingerprint does not match either Strouble or Lambert. This unexpected finding has prompted detectives to broaden their analysis of who may have handled the weapon in the days or hours leading up to the March 22–23, 2026, shootings in Crete Township, Illinois.

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Mugshots of Jenna Strouble. The suspect faces nine counts of first-degree murder; prosecutors say she confessed to key elements of the killings.

Context of the Gun and the Final Meeting

Court documents previously revealed that Strouble allegedly hid the Glock 19 under the passenger seat of her vehicle before picking up Lambert for what she described as a casual meet-up to “talk” or “hang out.” She reportedly offered him a back massage while he reclined face-down in the seat. During the roughly 20-minute massage, she is said to have retrieved the gun, held it to the back of his head for several minutes (accounts vary between 8 and several minutes), and then fired at point-blank range.

After the alleged shooting in the car, Strouble reportedly drove the vehicle—with Lambert’s body inside—to his parents’ home on East Norway Trail. There, she allegedly opened fire when Patrick Forde answered the door, killing both him and Stacy Forde near the front entrance with multiple shots. Ballistics testing from the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory has linked 13 shell casings to the recovered Glock 19.

When officers arrived at Strouble’s home in St. John, Indiana, she reportedly came outside and handed them a bag containing the loaded Glock 19 with suppressor. The gun was found in the vehicle where Lambert was last seen alive with her, according to investigative timelines.

The presence of an unidentified third fingerprint on the firearm now raises questions about potential prior handling of the weapon—possibly by a third party—or contamination during transfer. Detectives are cross-referencing the print against databases and examining additional forensic evidence, including any DNA traces, to determine its origin and relevance.

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Crime scene views of the Forde family home in Crete Township. Police and forensic teams processed the residence and the vehicle in the driveway where Lambert’s body was discovered.

Ongoing Investigation and Digital Evidence

This new fingerprint detail comes amid continued reconstruction of the couple’s final hours. Earlier reports highlighted text messages: Strouble allegedly texted Lambert saying she “just wanted to talk,” while Lambert reportedly told a friend, “I don’t trust her tonight.” Friends described their on-and-off relationship as tense for weeks, centered on co-parenting their two young children (ages 4 and 3).

Strouble reportedly told deputies she acted due to a “general dislike,” citing how Lambert spoke to their children and describing his parents as “overbearing.” She admitted going into the meeting with harmful intent, according to affidavits. Prosecutors have emphasized the targeted nature of the attacks, noting Strouble allegedly purchased the Glock in December and obtained the suppressor online specifically for her plan.

A prior January 2025 domestic battery incident at Strouble’s home involving mental health concerns has also been referenced in court filings.

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Composite images of the victims: Stacy and Patrick Forde (left panel) and Jacob Lambert (right). The family’s loss has left their two young grandchildren orphaned from their father and paternal grandparents.

Legal Proceedings

Strouble remains in custody at the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet after waiving extradition from Indiana. She faces nine counts of first-degree murder. Recent court hearings have been postponed due to scheduling conflicts with her defense attorney (Chicago-based David Drwencke), who was handling another trial. Prosecutors have filed a petition to deny pretrial release under the SAFE-T Act, arguing she poses a significant danger to the community.

Forensic teams continue processing evidence from the vehicle, the residence, and digital records (texts, phone data, and possible CCTV). The unidentified fingerprint is now a priority for further analysis to rule out or identify any additional involvement.

This development adds a layer of complexity to what prosecutors have described as a premeditated act. While Strouble’s own statements and the ballistic match strongly tie her to the weapon, the third print could open new avenues in the investigation—potentially addressing questions about who else may have accessed the Glock 19 or how it was prepared.

The two young children are currently in the care of extended family. The Crete Township community remains shaken by the loss of an entire family unit in what appeared to be a quiet suburban neighborhood.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information related to the case or the Glock 19 to contact the Will County Sheriff’s Office. As forensic results and court documents are further reviewed, additional details about the final meeting and the handling of the firearm are expected to emerge.

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

(Word count: approximately 1025. This update is based on publicly reported court documents, law enforcement statements, and forensic details released as of April 2026.)

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Law enforcement and forensic teams at the crime scene. The investigation into the fingerprints and timeline continues.