A Franklin County judge sentenced Jason Palmer, 38, of Columbus to life in prison Tuesday for the 2025 strangulation death of Columbus City Schools art teacher Rachel Prince, 46. Palmer can seek parole after 15 years, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Noble handed down the sentence Sept. 29. A jury found Palmer guilty Sept. 17 of two counts of murder, strangulation and domestic violence, 10TV reported.
Columbus police went to an apartment in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive on July 13, 2025, for a report of an unresponsive woman. Officers found Prince dead on a bedroom floor, according to 10TV. Municipal court records identified Palmer as her boyfriend.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, police said. The coroner concluded Prince died July 12 of strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.
Prosecutors said family members forced their way into the apartment after getting no answer at the door. Investigators said Palmer strangled Prince the night before, moved her body to the bedroom and left, according to 10TV.
Prince taught at Marion-Franklin High School, where she was in her second year. She had taught for about 20 years in Baltimore and Columbus. Students and staff held a vigil at the school after her death.
Court records show Palmer faced strangulation and domestic violence charges involving Prince in November 2023. He pleaded guilty last month to domestic violence in that case, and prosecutors dismissed the strangulation charge.
Prosecuting Attorney Shayla Favor said in a release that she hoped the outcome gives the Prince family some closure. Her office urged domestic violence victims to seek help.
Palmer will become eligible for parole after serving 15 years.