Suzanne Saunders

Woman, Estranged Husband Identified In Carmel Shootings

Police: Handgun Found Near Man

October 11, 2011

CARMEL, Ind. -- Police are investigating the fatal shootings of a woman and her estranged husband in a Carmel condominium as a murder-suicide.

Carmel police said the bodies of Aaron Saunders, 46, and Suzanne Saunders, 50, were found Tuesday morning in a home at the Traditions on the Monon in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue, near 136th Street and Rangeline Road, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"Both bodies appeared to have gunshot wounds. A handgun was found in close proximity to the deceased male," Carmel police Lt. Jeff Horner said.

Police rushed to the home about 6:45 a.m., when the oldest of Suzanne Saunders' three children, boys ages 16 and 11, along with a 12-year-old girl, heard gunshots and called 911.

"(The children) were at home getting ready for school when their stepfather stopped by the house," Horner said. "They heard an argument break out between their mother and stepfather."

Soon after the argument began, the children heard the gunshots and heard their mother scream, police said.

Neighbor Debbie Edstrom described the horror of what she witnessed.

"I heard a woman scream, and I called 911, and I heard a young boy, a voice say, 'Mom,'" Edstrom said. "(The boy) had walked to the end of our building, and he met the police as they were coming into the complex and he was directing them to his house, and I heard him say it was his stepfather had come into the house and shot his mother."

Investigators said the boys ran out of the home after the shooting and that the girl hid in an upstairs room. They were not injured.

Autopsies are planned.

Anne J. Stolarz

Murder-suicide suspected in deaths elderly Lowell couple

August 8, 2011

LOWELL — A murder-suicide this weekend of two senior citizens in this quiet rural community left neighbors filled with shock and disbelief.

Police Chief John Shelhart said an 84-year-old man and his 84-year-old wife were found shot dead in their home in the 300 block of Eastland Circle Sunday afternoon after their adult children came to check on the couple’s well-being.

Shelhart said it appeared the man first shot his wife, who had Alzheimer’s disease, in the head then proceeded to shoot himself. Shelhart said the couple was last seen alive Friday at a family gathering.

“It happened either sometime Saturday or early Sunday before the newspaper came,” Shelhart said.

Shelhart said family members were shocked by the discovery. They said the couple did not appear depressed during the Friday gathering, though they had experienced some recent financial setbacks.

The couple’s 401K ran out in July and they were heavily invested in the stock market and suffered serious losses during the economic downturn.

Robert Potter, who lives across the street from the couple, said he would often see the husband working outside in the flower bed.

“They seemed like nice people. We always talked,” Potter said. He said he was shocked when he heard the news.

“It just don’t happen here, something like that,” he said.

Neighbors Paul Mayer, Carl Skinner and Edna Miller were gathered at the mailbox in the subdivision of nicely manicured single family homes and townhomes talking about the events of the weekend.

They said Sunday police vehicles lined the street and blocked both entrances to the neighborhood largely populated by senior citizens, leaving them a bit frightened and wondering what might have occurred.

“I always found him to be a very polite guy,” Mayer said.

“He was a good neighbor,” Miller said.

“A very good neighbor,” Skinner added.

They said they were shocked and saddened to find out what had occurred in their quiet neighborhood.

“It’s an experience you don’t want to see or hear about again,” Miller said.

Obituary:

JOHN AND ANNE STOLARZ LOWELL, IN John and Anne Stolarz of Lowell, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2011. They are survived by their children: Janice (Jerry) Keilman of Lowell and Mark Stolarz of Fair Oaks; grandchildren: Sarah Ammons, Karalyn (Clint) Skinner, Mike (Danielle) Keilman, Marc (Julie) Keilman, Joshua Stolarz, Amy Dixon, and Sabrina and Dustin Stolarz; 10 great-granchildren; John's siblings: Anne Matusik and Walter Stolarz; and Anne's sister, Mary Hubbard. They were preceded in death by their son, Wayne; John's siblings: Stanley, Frank, Joe and Victoria Wojtan; Anne's siblings: Alex, Edward, Eugene and John Lukas. John and Anne were members of St. Edward Catholic Church in Lowell. He was a member of VFW Post 802 in Hammond and she was a member of their auxiliary. John owned John's Electric and Anne enjoyed cooking and being a loving mother and grandmother. They both enjoyed traveling and their cottage on Koontz Lake. A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Sheets Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 604 E. Commercial Ave. in Lowell with a Memorial Mass at 12:00 p.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church. Father Ted Norquist officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer's Research.

Beatrice Holdeman

Elderly couple found dead in home

Police: Appears to be a murder-suicide

Updated: Thursday, 07 Jul 2011, 11:26 PM EDT

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) - A Muncie couple, identified as John and Bea Holdeman, both in their 90s, took their own lives Thursday afternoon.

They were discovered in bed by their daughter, who was visiting her parents from out of town.

“She'd been here earlier in the morning, and her father had sent her out to run an errand,” Captain Mark Vollmar with the Muncie Police Department said. “And when she came back, she found out they were both deceased."

John, he said, left a note behind.

“I think he was frustrated with the quality of life for both of them,” Vollmar said.

Bea was terminally ill and relied on hospice.

Vollmar said it was recently recommended that she move to a nursing home.

John had just received his own poor diagnosis.

One neighbor, Gene Calvert, who lived next to the couple for nine years had fond memories.

"They were very nice people, good neighbors,” Calvert said. “They were quiet, no disturbance, friendly, just as nice of neighbors as you could have.”

From another source (WRTV-6):

An elderly Muncie man likely killed his ill wife and then committed suicide in their home Thursday, police said.

Officers went to the couple's condominium in the 5100 block of West Churchill Court after their daughter called police to say she believed her father may have killed her mother.

Police found the victims, John Holdeman and his wife Beatrice, both in their mid-90s, dead from gunshot wounds in their home.

Investigators said Holdeman shot his wife, then lay down next to her and shot himself. Holdeman left a suicide note with a motive, detectives said.

Neighbors said the couple used to garden together outside their west Muncie condominium, but hadn't been out of the house much lately, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

"They both had issues that had happened recently and their health was deteriorating," neighbor Gene Calvert said.

The couple received hospice care and Beatrice was expected to be transferred to a nursing home soon, officials said.

The couple's daughter, who was visiting from California, found her parents dead.

"(The daughter) was standing over there shaking tremendously. Obviously something had happened. So my wife went over to help her," Calvert said.

Police said the Holdeman's daughter has some health problems of her own and had to be taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Neighbors who knew John and Beatrice said that even though they were in their 90s, they acted like lovebirds.

"It is sad. They were really nice, good people," Calvert said.

Police said the Holdeman's children all live on the West Coast and they had no other family in Muncie.


(Although I don't consider this a "violent" act, it is what it is so was included. My sincere condolences to their family.)

Obituaries:

MUNCIE - Beatrice M. Holdeman, 95, Muncie, passed away Thursday July 7, 2011 at her residence.

She was born March 3, 1916 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Ralph and Vivian (Neyle) McBurney and graduated from Michigan State University in 1939.

Beatrice worked as a teacher for many years in Michigan. She was a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church where she was involved with A.A.U.W., and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Beatrice also was a member of the Auburn Memorial Hospital Guild.

Mrs. Holdeman is survived by her three children, John W. Holdeman (wife, Cassandra), Dr. Mary Ann Clark (husband, Dr. Richard E. Clark), and Robert E. Holdeman (wife, Kass); six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 West Main Street, Muncie, Indiana 47303 with Pastor Chip Gast officiating.

Family and Friends may call from 4:00 until 4:30 on Wednesday at the church.

The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be sent to Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, P.O. Box 44210, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary.com.

Also:

MUNCIE - John W. Holdeman, 95, Muncie, passed away Thursday July 7, 2011 at his residence.

He was born August 20, 1915 in Leipseic, Ohio, the son of Lloyd and Vivian (Cottingham) Holdeman and graduated from The University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical engineering. Mr. Holdeman retired from Borg Warner Automotive after thirty-nine years of service. During his career at Borg Warner he served as the Associate Director of Research, Vice President of Engineering, and the Product Engineering Manager where he developed thirty-five automotive patents. He had also worked for Packard Motorcar Company and Detroit Gear division of Borg Warner. After his retirement, John served as a volunteer for the International Executive Service Corporation in Korea.

His memberships included, The Muncie Elks Country Club, Wilbur A. Full Masonic Lodge # 1744, and College Avenue Methodist Church.

Mr. Holdeman is survived by his three children, John W. Holdeman (wife, Cassandra), Dr. Mary Ann Clark (husband, Dr. Richard E. Clark), and Robert E. Holdeman (wife, Kass); two sisters, Laura M. Hartman, and Elizabeth L. Dobbins; two brothers, Stephen Holdeman, and David L. Holdeman; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Mary I. Gorham.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 West Main Street, Muncie, Indiana with Pastor Chip Gast officiating.

Friends and Family may call from 4:00 until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Church.

Contributions may be made to Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, P.O. Box 44210, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary.com.

Cheryl A. Miller

Porter County Coroner Says a 52-year-old Woman and Her Estranged Husband were Found Shot to Death and Her House Burned

May 31, 2011

KOUTS, Ind. — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.

The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.

Obituary

Cheryl A. (Stevens) Miller, 52, of Kouts, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011. She was born October 10, 1958 in Valparaiso to Ronald N. and Margaret J. (Hineline) Stevens. She was a graduate of Valparaiso High School and had been the manager at Marti's Place at Ramsey's Landing in Hebron. Cheryl enjoyed designing and making jewelry as well as a variety of other arts and crafts, and she was an avid gardener. Survivors include her son, JJ Miller of Kouts; step daughter, Layla (Jeff) Morgan of San Diego, CA; her father, Ron Stevens of Valparaiso; one sister, Leslie (Bruce) Richart of Porter; two nieces, Rebecca (Anthony) Tharp and Annette Stevens; four nephews, Jeremiah, Joshua and Ryan Richart, and Travis Stevens. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Stevens. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at Kosanke Funeral Home in Kouts with Pastor Jay Birky officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the "Benefit of JJ Miller" account at DeMotte State Bank.

Jasmine Abbott

Jasmine Abbott

Mother, 3 children shot to death

January 21, 2011

AUSTIN, Ind. (WDRB Fox 41)--A mother and her three children were found dead inside their Indiana home on Friday. Police say they all suffered gunshot wounds to the head--but police are not looking for any suspects.

Police stop short of calling it a triple murder-suicide, but say they are focusing their investigation only on the four people found dead inside the home.

The small road seems oddly busy as curious people slow down to take a look at a house on New York Street in Austin, Indiana. Karen Barrett remembers the last conversation she had with 30-year-old Amanda Bennett, "Just 'Hi! How ya doin?', she laughed, just like she, you know, she was a happy go lucky person, she just 'good how are you!' I waved my hand and went on, ya know."

Roses were left behind on a car for the four people found dead inside the burned home in Austin, Indiana Friday. Officials say Amanda Bennett and her three children--14-year-old Jasmine, 9-year-old Katelynn, and Ryan, 4-years old, all died from gunshot wounds to the head.

It appears Amanda and Katelynn might have suffered smoke inhalation. Although it is unclear how the fire started.

Police are not looking for suspects, but will not say it is a triple murder-suicide. "The detectives are not ready to make any determinations or give any exact facts on what happened inside of the home," said Sergeant Jerry Goodin, with Indiana State Police.

Friends say there were signs of marital problems. "This past Sunday night we come home from church," said Barrett, "and there were two loads of cops here and the husband and wife I assume had a scuffle because that's what my niece said, that Jasmine had come to school talking about her mom and dad getting a divorce."

But other than that, Barrett says you would never know. "He'd get out and play basketball with the kids, she'd sit out on the porch and watch 'em play you'd never know there was any family trouble, never," said Barrett.

Police would not comment on any possible domestic problems. "That is part of our investigation so there are some things that we don't want to release," said Goodin.

Debra Davidson is a cook at Austin Elementary and says she'll never forget 9-year-old Katelynn. "She always gave me and one of the other cooks a hug every day," said Davidson.

The deaths are something many just cannot comprehend. "I can't understand it," said Barrett, "I just can't see it myself, Lord knows all about it."

"We owe this not only to the family, but the public," said Goodin, "and we're going to come to some answers and when we get those answers we'll release them."

Austin schools will have extra counselors at school on Monday.


See post for dear siblings Katelynn Bennett and Ryan Bennett.

Katelynn Bennett

Katelynn Bennett

Indiana woman killed her 3 children and herself, police say

January 25, 2011

An Indiana woman shot her three children and set the family's house on fire before turning the gun on herself, police said.

The bodies of the four were discovered Friday, when police in Austin, Indiana, responded to the home to conduct a welfare check.

"Upon arriving, the officer had to make a forced entry into the residence," Indiana State Police said Monday in a statement. "Once in the residence, he saw parts of the home had suffered recent fire damage and also located four deceased persons in the home."

The state police assisted with the investigation, which preliminarily concluded that 30-year-old Amanda Bennett shot the children -- 14-year-old Jasmine Abbott, 9-year-old Katelynn Bennett and 4-year-old Ryan Bennett -- before starting the fire and shooting herself.

"While the investigation remains open until autopsy reports are finalized, indications are this case is a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives along with the suspect of the murders, Amanda Bennett," the police statement said.

All four apparently died from gunshot wounds to the head. Amanda Bennett and Katelynn Bennett also suffered smoke inhalation, police said.

The family's dog was also shot, but survived and was being treated at a veterinary clinic, authorities said.

Jasmine, the teenager, had made references to marital problems between her parents and a possible divorce, friend Karen Barrett told CNN affiliate WDRB.

Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Goodin told CNN that authorities examined online content as part of their investigation, including a posting purportedly from Amanda Bennett that blamed her husband, according to WDRB, saying, "You got what you wanted, no wife and no kids."

However, the reasons for the shootings remain unclear, Goodin said.

"The only person that knows the motive is Amanda," he said.

Austin is about 35 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky.


See post for dear siblings Jasmine Abbott and Ryan Bennett.

Ryan Bennett

Mom Shot 3 Kids, Started Fire, Before Killing Herself

January 25, 2011

AUSTIN, Ind. -- A southern Indiana woman shot her three children and the family dog before setting fire to her home and fatally shooting herself, investigators said Monday as somber classmates of the slain children returned to school three days after the bodies were found.

Indiana State Police said they believe Amanda Bennett, 30, carried out the triple murder-suicide at the family's home in the Scott County town of Austin, shooting her three children and herself in the head.

Her body and those of 14-year-old Jasmine Abbott, 9-year-old Katelynn Bennett and 4-year-old Ryan Bennett were found Friday in the partially burned home after worried relatives asked police to check on the family.

State police Sgt. Jerry Goodin said Monday in a statement that the killings were "a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives" along with that of the youngsters' mother, the alleged assailant.

"After shooting the children, indications are Amanda Bennett started a fire in the home and then took her own life," Goodin said Monday in a statement.

Friends and neighbors told The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., that Amanda Bennett was a factory worker along with her husband, who had been laid off since last spring and moved out about a month ago from the home about 35 miles north of Louisville, Ky.

Family friend Karen Barrett told WDRB-TV in Louisville that Amanda Bennett was in the midst of a divorce from her husband but that the family had seemed close.

"He'd get out and play basketball with the kids, she'd sit out on the porch and watch `em play. You'd never know there was any family trouble, never," Barrett said.

Goodin would not comment on any possible domestic problems. Police are looking into an Internet posting that may have been from Amanda that read, in part, "Time to take away the pain. This is what you wanted, no wife and no kids."

"That is part of our investigation, so there are some things that we don't want to release," he said.

Trooper Mark LaMaster said investigators are looking into whether Amanda Bennett may have posted comments on the Internet prior to the shootings that alluded to her intention to kill her children.

Preliminary death findings showed that Amanda and Katelynn Bennett died from a combination of gunshot wound to the head and smoke inhalation. The two other siblings died from a gunshot wound to the head, Goodin said.

The family dog was shot but was recovering Monday at a veterinary clinic in Scott County, police said.

A makeshift memorial set up on the front steps of the family's modular home included a flickering candle set surrounded by teddy bears and other animals left by relatives and neighbors. Two roses also were left on the windshield of a car parked in the driveway, WAVE-TV of Louisville reported.

Betty Hensley, who lives near the family, told the station that she's at a loss to understand the killings.

"Why, why -- I'm asking why? Why did this happen to these people? I mean these were good people, why did this happen? And I don't know. I couldn't tell you. I sure don't know," Hensley said.

Extra counselors were on hand Monday as students returned to school for the first time since word of the shootings was announced Friday evening. Jasmine Abbott was a freshman at Austin High School, Katelynn was a fourth-grader and Ryan was a preschool student.

Kenneth Kidd, the assistant superintendent of the Scott County School District, said the mood was generally somber Monday at the district schools where the siblings had attended classes.

Mother, pregnant with Ryan, with two sisters

"We still have a few rambunctious ones over there today, but mostly it's somber," Kidd told WDRB.

Austin High School Principal Sherman Smith told WAVE that counselors at the school worked Monday to try to comfort mourning students but obviously could not explain for them why the tragedy occurred.

"It's a grief we don't know how to prepare for," Smith said. "We deal with it the best we can. We know what we know and that's all we know. We don't have the answers for our kids."


See post for dear siblings Jasmine Abbott and  Katelynn Bennett.

Shirlen Dyson

Daughter Speaks Out After Father Kills Mother

Shirlen Dyson was just seconds away from her mother's house in Noblesville when her estraged husband, Vincent Dyson, shot and killed her.

October 19, 2010

Noblesville, Ind. — Shirlen Dyson was just seconds away from her mother's house in Noblesville when her estraged husband, Vincent Dyson, shot and killed her.

Police say he had followed her from her job near downtown Indianapolis and when she arrived in the subdivison, he ended her life. Then, minutes later, he killed himself near I-465 and Meridian Street in the middle of the evening rush hour.

In one day, Sheena Dyson lost both of her parents.  "I'm not angry but I am hurt. And it's a hurt I don't wish on anybody," she told Fox59's Kara Brooks.

Shirlen and Vincent had broken up 20 years ago but they reunited about year ago and got married. They lived in a northwest side neighborhood where neighbors knew something just wasn't right back in August.  "He heard some knocking in the garage and he heard her cry for help. And so when he heard that he called the police," said neighbor Michelle Perkins.

Sheena also knew there was trouble in her parent's relationship. She was very close with her mother and they talked often.  "After he hit her, she told me 'Sheena I'm scared.' I said, 'Mom you got to get out of this, you know.' She was like, 'I don't know how," said Sheena.  "Once he hit her she just finally got the courage to leave. He was acting crazy."

Shirlen got a protective order against Vincent but neighbors still saw him lurking around.  "{He} went real fast passed and then went on around. So I think he had been stalking her," said Michelle.  So she moved in with her mother to get away but he still found her.  "My momma is gone and that's hard to believe because I was just on the phone with her," said Sheena.

Sheena Dyson says her mother had a strong faith and described her as someone who always found the best in somebody.

Police: Noblesville, Carmel shootings were murder-suicide

Police now say two deadly shootings that occurred Monday in Noblesville and Carmel are connected. They're calling the incidents murder-suicide.

Marion County court records show a pending divorce and allegations of abuse leading up to the murder-suicide on Monday in Noblesville. Police say that 46-year-old Shirlen Dyson was shot and killed in her car by her husband, 46-year-old Vincent Dyson, in a Noblesville neighborhood near Verizon Wireless Music Center.

Police believe Vincent Dyson ran her off the road and fired two rounds into the vehicle, hitting Shirlen Dyson in the chest.  A short time later on I-465 in Carmel, Fishers police stopped a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle given by witnesses at the Noblesville shooting scene. Police say as they approached the car, Vincent Dyson shot himself in the head.

Shirlen Dyson filed a burglary report with Indianapolis Metro Police on August 11th after the home she shared with her husband was burglarized. That was two days after officers were called to the home for a domestic disturbance.

According to court records, Shirlen Dyson filed for a protective order the following week saying that her husband struck her and that she planned to file for divorce. The judge granted the protective order in September.prohibiting Vincent Dyson from calling or contacting his wife. Investigators are zeroing in on what was apparently a stormy relationship.  "What the situation was between the two of them and then what potentially led up to this incident," said Lt. Bruce Barnes, Noblesville Police Department.

According to court records, when Shirlen Dyson filed for protective orders, she also requested an eviction notice forcing her husband to leave the home they shared.

Mary Jane Frisby

Mary Jane Frisby

Lawyer Found Dead in Home After Suicidal Gunman Shoots at Downtown Indy Firm

Posted Aug 26, 2010 9:59 PM CDT
By Molly McDonough

The body of Mary Jane Frisby, 44, a former partner at the Indianapolis-based Barnes & Thornburg, was found in her home, the apparent victim of homicide.

Police discovered her body after her estranged husband, David Frisby, shot himself at a parking garage near the firm, which she'd recently left, reports Channel 6 in Indianapolis.

The news outlet reports that the couple was getting a divorce. Police went to Mary Jane Frisby's home after finding a tape recording apparently left by David Frisby in his car, WTHR Channel 13 reports.

Late Thursday afternoon, Barnes & Thornburg staff were under lockdown, told by police to stay away from exterior walls which had been penetrated by two bullets, firm partner Don Knebel told Indiana Lawyer.

Knebel told the publication that lawyers were getting news updates about the shooting on their BlackBerrys.

"Indiana Supreme Court public information officer Kathryn Dolan, who has an office in the 30 S. Meridian building across from the parking garage, said several people in the Division of State Court Administration heard the gunshots and saw the man shoot himself and then fall from the garage," Indiana Lawyer reports.

Frisby is believed to have fired six shots from the top floor of the parking garage before shooting himself, then falling to the ground below, according to several news reports.

"He turned and it's like he looked directly at us and fired two shots," Barnes & Thornburg lawyer Anthony Prather told Channel 6.

Channel 6 reports that David Frisby, 58, had posted a message on Facebook condemning the law firm, writing, "The bad lawyers at the Barnes & Thornburg law firm ... do not respect the institution of marriage and corrupted my wife Mary Jane (sex and drugs). Someone (maybe one of their good lawyers) please make them pay. Justice demands the truth out. It's a tragedy."

Barnes & Thornburg Managing Partner Alan A. Levin released a statement Thursday, saying, "The Barnes & Thornburg family is deeply saddened by the tragic incidents that occurred today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our beloved former partner, Mary Jane Frisby. Mary Jane was a valued member of Barnes & Thornburg for several years. She will be missed by all of us. This is a very sad day for the firm."

Last week, Mary Jane Frisby left the firm to accept a position at Cummins, according to Channel 13. Cached versions of her profile at the firm show that she was a longtime IP lawyer, who handled IP litigation and non-litigation enforcement matters.

The couple's adult son and high-school aged daughter were not believed to be at the couple's home at the time Mary Jane Frisby was killed.

Nickim Cornett

West side couple found dead

Updated: Aug 27, 2010 5:44 PM EDT

Indianapolis - Metro Homicide detectives are investigating the deaths of two people on the city's west side.

Autopsy results revealed that Maurice Smith, 31, had no trauma to the body. His cause of death is pending the outcome of toxicology tests.

Nickina Cornett, 26, died as a result of gunshot wounds. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

A friend of Smith's found their bodies in their home at 3030 North Harding Street Thursday after not hearing from him for a while.

Their bodies apparently had been in the house for several days based on the decomposition.

The couple's three-year-old daughter had been staying with a relative at the time of their deaths, according to police. Officers say it wasn't unusual for the girl to spend multiple days with the sitter because the mother and father worked long hours at multiple jobs.

Family members promise to raise the child. The young girl is now staying with an aunt.

Debra Aynes

Debra Aynes

Friend: Woman’s ex a bit controlling, but not violent

Pendleton diner closes temporarily after shooting deaths

By Christina M. Wright The Herald Bulletin, July 31, 2010

PENDLETON — A woman allegedly shot by her ex-boyfriend — who then reportedly killed himself — had split with the man because she wanted to be her own person, said the woman’s best friend and business partner.

“I think she still cared for him and they were just growing apart,” Donna Cantrell said Saturday afternoon. “She had things that she wanted to for herself and her family.”

Pendleton police said in a news release that Robert Jones, 56, of Madison County, entered The Diner (sometimes called Deb & Donna’s) with a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun at about 5 a.m. Saturday. He confronted his ex-girlfriend, Debra Aynes, 51, co-owner of the place, then shot her before turning the gun on himself, the police said.

Cantrell briefly spoke Saturday afternoon about Aynes’ winning personality and her recent attempts to be a better grandmother.

She stood outside the taped-off diner as a crew from Aftermath Inc. worked inside the building and former employees comforted each other outside.

A bright-orange poster hung in the front window next to a painting of a grinning chef that read: “Closed until notice. We lost our beloved Deb today. We will miss you and remember you forever. Love you.”

“She had a natural energy,” Cantrell said, eyes glistening. “She was just full of energy.”

Cantrell said the best friends of 20 years worked at a declining restaurant 14 years ago and decided to open The Diner on customers’ suggestions. She said the two worked together well, and both loved the diner.

In fact, Cantrell said, the love for the business was why she believed Aynes couldn’t have thought Jones would become violent after their break-up. She said Saturday was Aynes’ first day back to work since leaving Jones on Wednesday.

“I know, if she felt like he was a danger, she wouldn’t have brought it to work,” Cantrell said. “She wouldn’t have brought it to the diner.”

Cantrell speculated that most employees and friends wouldn’t have thought Jones would be capable of what he’s alleged to have done Saturday, Cantrell said.

She said it was well-known that Jones spun tall-tales, but no one seemed to view him as dangerous. Cantrell said there was no previous domestic violence.

Friends, Cantrell said, recognized that Jones was a bit controlling, but not overly so.

“It wasn’t to the point that she couldn’t go anywhere,” Cantrell said. “It was just, he wanted her spare time to be his. ... And he was good at spinning ideas to where she thought they were hers.”

Cantrell said Saturday evening she would call Jones’ son to ask if he would like to comment on events, but the son had not contacted The Herald Bulletin by publication time.

It was the draw of spontaneity, freedom and, mostly, a relationship with the children of her three children that finally pushed Aynes to call her relationship quits after 25 years, Cantrell said.

“In getting her own business and getting her own way, I think she thought it was time,” Cantrell said, adding that Jones wasn’t comfortable around children and Aynes yearned to have her grandchildren spend the night with her.

Cantrell said Jones wanted Aynes to call off the breakup. She said the one waitress and one customer in the diner Saturday morning said they’d heard Aynes say, “I’ll come back home.”

The customer was a regular who often made it to the restaurant even before the waitresses and made coffee for Aynes, Cantrell said. She said the customer and waitress were “pretty shaken up.”

Co-owner Cantrell, who wasn’t at the business Saturday morning when the tragedy occurred, later found unfinished gravy in the kitchen, which told her Aynes had just gotten to work.

“Coming around the bend and seeing all the lights, it just made you realize it was true,” she said. “I was hoping it was somebody’s really sick joke.”

Lisa Martin-Simeri

Sad news spreads over Simeri double homicide

April 18, 2010

The autopsy results from a New Carlisle couple found dead at their home this weekend indicate a homicide-suicide.

That's the word from St. Joseph County coroner Charles Hurley.

Police found Lisa Simeri shot to death Saturday in the front yard of their house in the 55000 block of Nature View Drive. On Monday officials ruled her death a homicide.

Police found Lisa's husband Nick Simeri inside the home with a gunshot wound to the head. Hurley told FOX 28 the evidence indicates the wound was self-inflicted. Nick was the owner of Simeri's Old Town Tap, on South Bend's west side. That bar is closed until further notice.

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Previously posted on FOX28.com

The Simeris were well known in Michiana. Their death was shocking news to people who knew them and those who live nearby the Simeri's Old Town Tap. It seems as if everyone is still trying to piece together what exactly happened Saturday evening. Many woke up Sunday morning confused, surprised, and saddened.

"I walk the blocks and I always go by there," said neighbor Ferneshia Guiden.

But on Saturday night and Sunday South Bend's Ferneshia Guiden saw a strange sight. Simeri's Old Town Tap is closed indefinitely pending investigation.

"It's a shocker to be honest," said neighbor Delshaune Cotton.

Saturday evening police found 50-year-old Nicholas Simeri and his wife 49-year-old Lisa Martin-Simeri both shot to death in their New Carlisle home. Nicholas owned this bar on South Bend's west side.

"You would never think anything like that would take place," said Ferneshia.

Guiden and her nephew Delshaune Cotton both live just blocks away from the bar. A place that Cotton says was very popular.

"It's packed I see a lot of people at the door," said Cotton.

Instead of long lines, the bar is now empty. But those who knew the Simeri's won't let the family suffer alone. One person left flowers and a handwritten note to the family on the bar's front steps. The Simeri's Facebook page was filled with comments of disbelief and sadness from people who knew the couple or those who hung out in the bar. As the news travels, so does the sorrow.

"It's quiet around here you don't have anything out of the ordinary around here," said Guiden.

Now, Guiden says the community will be missing a key element.

"Actually, it's part of the neighborhood," said Guiden.

A neighborhood left asking many questions, hoping police will be able to find the answers.

"Hopefully they'll get to the bottom of it and see what happened," said Cotton.

Police stress Sunday night that this is being treated as a double homicide and not as a murder-suicide because the investigation is still ongoing. The autopsy results on the couples's bodies are slated to be completed Monday.

Obituary:

Lisa Jane Martin-Simeri, 49, of New Carlisle, IN, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at her home. Lisa was born on August 22, 1960 in Louisville, KY to Jim and Vera Taylor-Skaggs. She moved to South Bend in 1984 and had lived in New Carlisle since 2002. Lisa was the Director of Operations for RLC of Michiana (Taco Bell). Survivors include her parents Jim and Vera Skaggs of Louisville, KY; four sons, Tim Martin, Daniel Martin, and Kyle Martin all of South Bend, IN and Jordan Martin of New Carlisle, IN; four sisters, Debbie (Angie) Skaggs, Terri (Doug) Uhling, Julie (Tim) Dalton, and Kim (Steve) Hardin all of Louisville, KY; and one brother, Jimmy (Deborah) Skaggs of Louisville, KY. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 22, 2010 in the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church. Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 201 S. Filbert Street, New Carlisle, IN. Friends may also call from 1 until 2 p.m. Thursday in the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church. Lisa was a member of the Granger Community Church. She was a volunteer at the Center for the Homeless in South Bend and the St. Joseph County Fair. She enjoyed landscaping and gardening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Martin Family Children, c/o Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628. To send online condolences, please visit Kaniewski.com. The family would like to ask everyone to either bring purple flowers, wear purple, etc. in honor of Lisa Martin.

Kathryn Tucker

Indiana State Police Respond to an Apparent Murder Suicide Investigation

BEDFORD, IN - At 8:36 a.m. on May 19, 2009, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department responded to a shots fired call at 1051 Trenton Circle, Bedford. Upon their arrival deputies discovered a male and female subject deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The male subject was recognized by deputies as a Bedford Police Officer, an agency the Sheriffs Department works closely with. This prompted the Lawrence County Sheriff to contact the Indiana state Police Bloomington Post to head up the investigation.

Preliminary investigations indicate Kathryn R. Tucker, 29 had recently ended a relationship with Kyle Brown, 35. On the morning of Tuesday May 19, Mr. Brown drove his personal vehicle to her residence at which time he made entry into her home.

According to the Lawrence County Coroner, John Sherrill, both subjects died from apparent gunshot wounds. Mr. Brown's fatal wound appeared to be consistent with a self inflicted one.

Family members have been notified.

Nicole Scheiber

Nicole Scheiber

Murder suicide ruled in Roanoke deaths

Updated: Friday, 10 Apr 2009, 10:35 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 09 Apr 2009, 4:17 PM EDT

by Matt McCutcheon

ROANOKE, Ind. (WANE) - According to the Huntington County Sheriff's Department, two bodies were found inside a mobile home park in Roanoke late Thursday morning. It's a story NewsChannel 15 first broke on First at Five.

Around 11:30 am, the Roanoke Town Marshal was called to the Castle Hill Mobile Home Park at 15 Duke Boulevard for a welfare check on the residents.

Inside, police found the bodies of 26 year old Jeremy Stroh and 25 year old Nicole Scheiber. Stroh apparently shot Scheiber multiple times before turning the gun on himself.

The coroner says when Scheiber didn't show up for work, her employer called police.

There's no evidence that anyone else was involved.

Nicole's obituary here.

Jordan Johnson

Jordan Johnson

Man Killed 8-Year-Old Daughter, Then Himself

Thursday, January 31, 2008
Man Killed 8-Year-Old Daughter, Then Himself

Wife Found Bodies Two Hours After Argument, Authorities Say

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man shot and killed his 8-year-old daughter before fatally shooting himself in an east-side Indianapolis house Wednesday afternoon, police said. The bodies of Dwayne Johnson Jr., 28, and his daughter, Jordan Johnson, were found inside the house in the 3900 block of Fletcher Avenue, police said.

Police said the man had argued with his wife, Ginger, in the house at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, and that the wife left. Shortly after 5 p.m., the wife returned with her mother and found the bodies, according to police.

Johnson's wife called 911, and medics and officers who arrived determined the man and the child were dead, police said. Authorities said they believe the man and his daughter were the only ones inside the house when the shootings happened.

Relatives said Johnson and his wife were having marital problems. "I know that they were in the process of starting a divorce, and he didn't want (his wife) to have (their daughter)," Johnson's aunt Donna Allen told 6News' Renee Jameson. "I guess he just couldn't wait until it went through the court systems. He took his way out instead. Police said they had no record of any prior problems at the address where the shootings occurred.

Also this:

Friends and family remember girl shot by father

Updated: Feb 20, 2008 12:30 PM EST

A child holds a candle at the vigil for Jordan Johnson Saturday.

Richard Essex

Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night for a young girl police say was shot and killed by her father.

Dwayne Johnson allegedly shot his eight-year-old daughter Jordan in the back bedroom of the family's home on Fletcher Avenue Wednesday before turning the gun on himself. The girl's mother, Ginger, found her husband and daughter dead when she returned home that afternoon.

Police say the Johnsons were on the verge of divorce. At the vigil remembering the little girl, friends, family and neighbors tried to come to grips with her death. One mother struggled to explain the death to her own child.

"She asked questions about how it happened, and I wasn't really sure how exactly how it happened, I just told her that her and her father died and they were shot," Rachel Patterson said. "I kinda left it at that. I don't want to kind of scare her with anything else."

Friends described Jordan as a little girl that never met a stranger.

"She was real nice and kind," one child said.

Ginger Johnson didn't attend the vigil for her late daughter, but her words were heard through a written note read by Cyndi Weisheit.

"She is her mommy's love and best friend," Weisheit read. "And now her baby's with angels and God. Now please remember her for what she was, a happy, loving, caring child who loved everyone with open arms, was a good student who loved to read and write."

The funeral for Jordan Johnson will be held on Monday.

Renee G. Johnson

Man Killed Wife, Daughter, Then Himself

Husband Called 911 Before Committing Suicide, Authorities Say

POSTED: 4:59 pm EDT April 1, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS -- Investigators believe a man killed his wife and their 14-year-old daughter before killing himself in their southwest-side Indianapolis house Tuesday, police told 6News' Rick Hightower.Authorities said they found the bodies of Renee G. Johnson, 49; Rebecca J. Johnson, 14; and Stephen J. Johnson in the house in the 5400 block of Gambel Road after the man called 911 at about 4 p.m. and told a dispatcher that a homicide-suicide had happened there.

Police said Stephen Johnson shot both his wife and daughter in the head before turning the gun on himself.According to investigators, the gun used in the shootings was found in the second-floor bedroom, where all of the bodies were found. Police said they also found a cell phone that was used to call 911 to tell operators where the bodies could be found. Investigators said Stephen Johnson made the call before killing himself.

The house was locked when officers arrived at the scene, but keys to the door were found hanging on a mailbox next to the door, police said."A couple of people that either knew them or were from the neighborhood … did not indicate any type of a problem there," Indianapolis police Sgt. Paul Thompson said.Sources that 6News did not name said electrical power to the home had recently been shut off. Information on why the home was without electricity wasn't available.

Also see post for dear daughter Rebecca J. Johnson.

Rebecca J. Johnson

Three dead in apparent double murder-suicide

Posted: Apr 01, 2008 5:20 PM EDT

Mary Milz

Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Police are investigating the deaths of three family members on the city's southwest side.

It happened Tuesday afternoon in the 5400 block of Gambel Road near I-465 and Kentucky Avenue. Police found three people dead inside the home there including a man, woman and their 14-year-old daughter. Police are calling it a double murder-suicide.

Police believe Stephen J. Johnson shot and killed his wife Renee G. Johnson, 49, and the couple's 14-year-old daughter Rebecca J. Johnson. Authorities found a suicide note at the scene.

"At this point, we believe it's an isolated incident," said IMPD Sgt. Paul Thompson. "It's domestic and did not involve anyone outside the household."

Sgt. Thompson said a 911 call came in at around 4:00 pm reporting a murder-suicide. Police say the caller identified himself as Stephen Johnson and that he told police where the bodies could be found in the house. Police have not yet confirmed that the caller was in fact Johnson, however.

"There's a possibility the man inside may have been the caller, we're still confirming that," Thompson said. "We're going to have to process the 911 tape."

The house was locked when the officers arrived at the scene. Keys to the door were found hanging on the mailbox next to the door.

Police found Stephen and Renee Johnson on a bed in a second-floor bedroom. Renee Johnson was under the covers of the bed, and Rebecca Johnson was on the floor of the same bedroom under some clothing. Detectives also found a cell phone belonging to Stephen Johnson, and they believe it was the same phone he used to call 911. Thompson said a gun was found near the bodies.

When nearby residents saw police arrive and set up a crime scene, they weren't sure what had happened.

"I told the kids to get in the house in case they're still looking for someone," Amanda Baker said.

As news later spread of a murder-suicide, another neighbor said, "It's just a shame."

Dwayne Brewer, who lives down the street, knew little of the family.

"They just stayed to themselves," Brewer said. "I can't tell you I ever saw anyone visiting."

Ritchie Kendall and his wife knew the family from church. When he saw several police cars and detectives in front of the house, he "thought it might be a mistake."

"You just don't think anything like this would happen. I can't see how anyone would kill a teenager," Kendall said.

Kendall's daughter was friends with the young victim, who was home-schooled. They said they knew of no problems or issues troubling the couple.

"I have no idea. No idea," said Marva Kendall. "I wouldn't expect it. He was nice, caring, he'd do anything for anybody."

Sgt. Thompson said there were no recent police calls to the home. He said detectives were talking to family members and friends in the hopes of better understanding what led to the violence.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Chief Michael Spears has asked that people be made aware of the need to seek help and guidance when in difficult situations instead of resorting to violence. "There are numerous social agencies available to assist wherein solutions can be found. The use of violence only causes pain and despair and never solves the underlying problem," the statement said.

Also see post for dear mother Renee G. Johnson.

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Plane crash was suicide-homicide

Pilot reportedly told ex-wife she wouldn't see daughter again

March. 6, 2007

BEDFORD, Ind. - The man whose small plane slammed into his former mother-in-law’s house, killing him and his 8-year-old daughter, had told his ex-wife before the crash he had the girl “and you’re not going to get her,” the mother-in-law said Tuesday.

Eric Johnson, a student pilot who had soloed before, strapped daughter Emily into the passenger seat of a leased, single-engine Cessna on Monday morning. Less than two hours later, officials said, the plane smashed into the home of Vivian Pace, the girl’s grandmother.

Pace told reporters outside her damaged home Tuesday that Johnson called her daughter, Beth Johnson, by cell phone shortly before the crash.

He told his ex-wife: “I’ve got her, and you’re not going to get her,” she said.

Pace, who was home but wasn’t injured, said she believed the crash was deliberate.

“That was the only way he could hurt Beth. That was the only way he could get to her,” she said.

Andrew Todd Fox of the National Transportation Safety Board declined to say if Johnson, 47, said anything over the plane’s radio before the crash. The airport has no controller on duty, so no recording was available of any communication, he said.

The plane had already crashed but the occupants hadn’t been identified when Beth Johnson arrived at the Bedford Police Department to file a missing person report because her daughter hadn’t arrived at school that morning after spending the weekend with her father, police Maj. Dennis Parsley said Tuesday.

State and Bedford police were treating the case as a suicide and homicide, State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten said. He said they had yet to find any notes indicating Johnson’s intentions with the flight, but the fact that the house was his ex-wife’s mother’s home raised serious questions.

“All of those things together lead us in the direction that this was done intentionally,” Bursten said Tuesday.

The couple had divorced in November after 12 years of marriage, Pace said.

Fox said Tuesday that investigators were looking at whether the plane was functioning properly and hoped to have a preliminary report within a week.

Bedford is about 20 miles south of Bloomington in southern Indiana.

At Parkview Primary School in Bedford, where Emily was a first-grader, counselors were called in to help the students, Principal Sari Wood said Tuesday.

“We’re all grieving over this,” Wood said. She described Emily as a “dear little girl” who “got a kick out of things and enjoyed life.”

“She just was one of those really friendly, really open little kids,” Wood said.

Also:

Indiana State Police Sgt. Dave Bursten says indications are Johnson deliberately flew into his former mother-in-law's house, just a short distance from the airport. The witness accounts of how the craft crashed, the relationship of the crash site to the airport, and the fact that the house it hit belongs to Johnson's former mother-in-law all point to a deliberate act.

Vivian Pace was in her living room at the time.

"She heard the crash and observed that the plane had come through the house," said State Police Detective Mark Clephane.

According to Bedford police, Emily's mother came to the police department at 11:30 Monday morning to file a missing person report. Emily spent the weekend with her father and failed to show up fo school. Authorities quickly began piecing things together.

"It is just gut-wrenching to think about what was happening for that child just prior to the crash," said Sgt. Bursten.

Authorities say Beth and Eric Johnson divorced about a year ago and during that time Beth had a restraining order issued against her estranged husband. There were no threats and no apparent reasons why he might have targeted the mother-in-law's house.

Sam and Kimberly Perry, who had been attending an event at Beth's school, say news quickly spread through town.

"It's sad that they didn't reach out for somebody, and that they took their daughter's life in the process."

Local authorities say they're not aware that Johnson had any criminal history. They say no notes were found. Johnson worked for the Department of Natural Resources. He was the property manager for the Jackson-Washington Forest in southern Indiana.

Photos taken by next-door neighbor Greg Rollins show part of the plane's fuselage inside the home. Views from Chopper 13 show that the plane sliced into the bottom of a wall on the south side of the home.

Tuesday morning, the plane remained where it crashed. State troopers have secured the site until the FAA and NTSB arrive to start their investigation. (Read the ISP press release.)

Jason McGuffey

Friends, Family Rely On Faith After Tragic Murder-Suicide

POSTED: 8:09 am EST November 4, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- The crime was deeply personal for one family, but now a community is coping with a tragedy that ended in death for a 4-year-old boy and his father.Police said Edward McGuffey killed his son, Jason, before turning the gun on himself Wednesday night.

It was a crime that was completely unexpected for a normally quiet Geist-area community. Now, friends and family are relying on their faith to deal with an unthinkable tragedy.Church leaders said Jason McGuffey was a beautiful child with a great spirit, RTV6's Tanya Spencer reported. He attended Sunday School at East 91st Street Christian Church every week.

Balloons, flowers and other tokens of remembrance were placed outside the home on Beam Ridge Drive Thursday night. Friends and family wanted everyone to know that the two people who died in the home will be missed.Police said McGuffey sent dozens of e-mails Wednesday night, telling recipients that he had killed his son and was about to kill himself.

Neighbors said that although they knew McGuffey and his wife had recently separated, they never expected what happened. At the church the McGuffey family attended, people were completely shocked to learn of the murder-suicide."The people who we talked to in our congregation had absolutely no idea that any of this was on his mind," said Derek Duncan, senior pastor. "We feel a real burden that we wish we could have done more. But ... if you don't know what the need is, you can't meet that need.

"The church is offering counseling for surviving family members and those who knew the victims. Duncan said their only comfort is knowing the next life is peaceful." Jason is with Him and he's not afraid. He's not suffering and he's going to be OK," Duncan said. "Anybody that knows him just really loved him."

The funeral for Edward McGuffey is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Randall and Roberts Fishers Mortuary.Services for Jason McGuffey is Saturday at 11 a.m. at East 91st Street Christian Church.

Previous Stories:

• November 3, 2005: Murder-Suicide Shocks Community
• November 3, 2005: Man Kills Son, Self After E-mailing His Intentions

Brittany March

Brittany March

Family Finds 2 Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide

Family Says Couple Argued Before Shooting Deaths

POSTED: 6:58 am EST December 11, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police said two people found dead in an apartment home near Greenwood Park Mall were involved in a likely murder-suicide.

Officers were called to an apartment home in the 2800 block of East County Line Road at about 10:40 p.m. Thursday.

Sgt. Matt Mount said Brittany March, 18, called family members and told them she had been arguing with her boyfriend, Corey Dix, 19, and planned to leave the apartment.

When family members hadn't heard from March for a while, one of them went to the apartment, police said.

"When there was no response to knocking, he forced the door open and found March and Dix in the bedroom, both dead from gunshot wounds," Mount said.

Police said they found a handgun under Dix's body. Investigators said it appeared that Dix shot himself after killing March.

Police did not have information about the nature of the argument that preceded the deaths.

Also:

Mother of domestic abuse victim wants teens to speak up

August 10, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS - A teenage girl's life was in danger, and her family didn't see it coming. It is a tale told all too often with a national rise in teen dating abuse. Now an Indianapolis family is reaching out to save other teens despite their pain.

Brittany March's family loved her. Family pictures tell a story of a young life full of promise.

"Brittany was very outgoing. She was never shy. She had a lot of friends," said Dawn Brumley, Brittany's mother.

She was a teenager full of spirit, spunk and sass.

"That's show and tell and she's got a snakeskin. Oh my gosh, of course, she had a snakeskin!" said Brumley.

Brittany was passionate about family. She was the only girl with two older brothers. They called her the family princess.

"We are short a lot of things, but we are not short pictures of Brittany," said Brumley.

A family video celebrates Brittany through the years.

"She was the light of my life," said Brumley.

But her light was extinguished and her years cut short at the age of 18. Dawn Brumley remembers the night before Brittany died.

"I hugged her and kissed her and told her I loved her and went to bed," she said.

The next morning, Brittany headed to the Greenwood apartment of an on and off again boyfriend, a rocky relationship that worried her Mom.

"Some of her friends did tell me that there was some verbal abuse; that it was more mental," said Brumley.

That day, Brumley received texts from Brittany from her boyfriend's cell phone.

"She said that he had broken her cell phone and took her keys and wouldn't give 'em back to her and wouldn't let her leave," said Brumley.

But shortly after that came another text.

"'We've figured out that this is not going to work and we're going to go our separate ways.' and that was the last I heard from her."

When Brittany didn't come home, Brumley sent her son to check on her. He found a devastating scene at the boyfriend's apartment.

"He kicked in the door, he looked over and the bedroom door was shut and he kicked in the bedroom door and Brittany was lying on the end of the bed. She had been shot twice in the head and the boy had then shot himself in the head," said Brumley.

The murder-suicide happened on December 10, 2009. Brittany March and her 19-year-old boyfriend Corey Dix were killed.

"I knew he had killed her. I knew she was trying to leave and go home, and he killed her," said Brumley.

That was a year and a half ago, and the shock of losing her daughter to abuse has led Dawn Brumley to speak out to warn others.

"I've said it a million times, if it could happen to Brittany, it could happen to anybody," she said.

She urges parents to talk to your teens about abuse and watch for signs that they are being controlled emotionally, verbally or physically.

"I have learned that the kids don't tell you. They don't tell you. They tell their friends," said Brumley.

She wanted to take us to a place where she feels close to Brittany again - her graveside, with a beautiful teardrop headstone.

"I miss being her Mom. I miss talking to her every day. I just miss everything about her," said Brumley.

The headstone has "her picture on it and a beach scene 'cause she loved the beach." Etched in the stone are lyrics of a song by her favorite artist, country singer Kenny Chesney. The words bring comfort to Brittany's family: "She's on the coast of somewhere beautiful running with our hearts."

Call 211 if you are in an abusive relationship and need help now.

Learn to spot the signs of abuse.