This is a very sad story about a couple I met and worked with in the IT industry. I met Joseph on the plane as he was on his way to a family wedding, I remembered him well because he was transporting a cat on the plane and he had a Zune. Since I had just started working with the Microsoft Windows Live team, we struck up a conversation and found some common bonds (including, Midwest roots). After our return, I met the two of them for lunch because he was working at XBox and Melissa was working at Bungee. During our meeting, I found them to be interesting and intelligent. Nothing to foreshadow this, just talking about career plans and potential business with staff augmentation. Goes to show, you never know, anything about anyone!
Rest In Peace, Melissa, you will be missed, my condolences to your family, friends and loved ones. Another tragic example of a warm, wonderful person cut down before their time due to our inability to protect them. She did everything right, got a court order, told the authorities, but it wasn't enough! Make a donation to the Eastside Domestic Violence Program.
From: http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_073108WAB_redmond_murder_suicide_KC.1fbfa76.html
Group Health did a local study and in King County 44 percent of women identified themselves as victims of domestic violence.
A court order is just one step in protecting women from domestic violence, but they also need a safety plan and in many cases where the threat is imminent danger, going into hiding in a special shelter may be the only way to keep a woman and her children safe.
Unfortunately, because of funding issues, there are more people in danger than there are safe places to house them.
The Eastside Domestic Violence Program has a 24-hour crisis hotline: 800-827-8840.
