Murder victim knew her accused killer

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Jennifer Peak and Gregory Hale had a relationship and a daughter together.

Hale is behind bars, accused of killing Peak. Peak's relatives said they had broken up about a month earlier.

Police discovered Peak in her mobile home in Sullivan County, after crews put out a small fire. Authorities arrested Hale during an unrelated disurbance call in Linton on Monday morning. According to police, Hale allegedly made statements about Peak's death while in custody.

A preliminary autopsy report showed the victim died from strangulation. Police found Peak's burned Ford truck near the Greene-Sullivan State Park.

Sullivan County court records show Peak had both a protective order and a no-contact order against Hale within the last year, but both had been dismissed. Records show Peak asked for the no-contact order to be removed in January.

Peak's father, Bill Johnson, rushed to her home when he heard about the fire. She was supposed to be at work and he was worried about her dogs. Instead, firefighters found her body inside.

Hale and Peak have a 18-month-old daughter together. Peak also leaves behind a 15-year-old son.

"I am thankful that they were over here, and weren't over there for what was going on" said Johnson.

Johnson remembers his daughter as a caring person and a hard-worker who often held down two jobs.

"I hope he (Hale) remembers it every day of his life, because we're going to." said Johnson.

Johnson thinks Hale may have been jealous about her friendships with another man.