A Nebraska mother of two was shot dead in her own home just 24 hours after her ex-fiancé posted bail for a prior assault on her. Now he’ll never walk free again.
ANebraska man who shot and killed his ex-fiancée just one day after bonding out of jail — while an active protective order against him was in place — has been sentenced to a minimum of 88 years and six months in prison, with the possibility of never being released.
“He’ll never see the light of day or freedom ever again. Justice served. It is enough.” — Jamie Hagen’s stepmother
Casey Kindt, 55, pleaded no contest in February 2026 to eight felony counts and three misdemeanors connected to the February 2025 murder of 36-year-old Jamie Hagen, a beloved developmental support specialist and mother from Seward, Nebraska.
As part of the plea deal, prosecutors reduced one count of first-degree murder to second-degree murder. Seward County District Judge James Stecker found Kindt guilty of murder, three firearm counts, two child abuse counts, and one count each of burglary, tampering with a witness, terroristic threats, domestic violence, and violating a protective order.
A Pattern of Violence That Went Ignored
The road to Hagen’s death began weeks earlier. In late December 2024, Kindt assaulted her and one of her daughters — shoving Hagen into shelving, doors, and walls. During that incident, he also threatened to shoot her, saying, “I will deck you, I will f—ing end you.” He was arrested, and Hagen immediately sought a protective order against him.
After bonding out, Kindt did not stay away. On January 4, 2025, he reached out to Hagen through an intermediary, hinting that he knew about alleged “child neglect and SNAP benefit fraud,” and suggesting the charges against him could “go away” if she cooperated. Hagen reported the messages to police. Kindt was arrested again.
On February 7, 2025, he posted $75,000 bond. The very next night, he broke into Hagen’s home on North 2nd Street in Seward and shot her multiple times. He also shot himself in the head in an apparent suicide attempt, but the bullet fragmented upon impact with his skull — leaving part of the projectile lodged in his brain. He survived.
Key Facts in the Case
- Victim: Jamie Hagen, 36, mother of two daughters
- Killer bonded out Feb. 7 — murdered her Feb. 8, 2025
- Active protective order was in place at time of killing
- One of Hagen’s daughters was home and called 911
- Kindt survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head
- Sentence: 88.5 years minimum; possible life in prison
Nebraska State Patrol troopers, responding to a disturbance call at around 11:45 p.m., found Hagen in her bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. One of her daughters, who had been home during the attack, was unharmed — and was the one who placed the 911 call.
A Life Remembered
Those who knew Jamie Hagen remember a woman deeply connected to her community. She worked as a Developmental Support Specialist for Region V and spent her free time with family and friends. She loved reptiles, tattoos, art, swimming, and the beach. Her obituary notes that she considered the entire community of Seward to be her family — with her two daughters at the center of it all.
At Tuesday’s sentencing — which wrapped up three separate criminal cases tied to the abuse and murder — Hagen’s stepmother addressed the court and the public. Her words were brief, and final: “Eighty-eight and a half years. He’ll never see the light of day or freedom ever again. Justice served. It is enough.”
