CONTENT WARNING: These stories contain sensitive topics related to domestic violence and homicide. Please take care of yourself and consider your emotional well-being before proceeding
The Silent Witness Initiative is a traveling memorial of life-sized, red silhouettes honoring the lives of women, men, and children who have lost their lives due to domestic violence in Arkansas. These names stand out as “Silent Witnesses” to the dangers of domestic abuse and the impact it can have on families, communities, and our state.
In 2024, 44 deaths in the state of Arkansas were attributed to domestic violence. We honor their lives by sharing their stories and remembering their names.
Click on a name below to read their story.
His Name was Sean
Age 50 • January 4, 2024 • Springdale, AR
The Springdale Police Department responded to a shots-fired call. Upon arrival, officers found Sean with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he died. During the investigation, officers also found Sean’s boyfriend dead in the home. It is believed that he shot Sean and then turned the gun on himself, resulting in a murder/suicide.
His Name was Joe
Age 32 • January 14, 2024 • Blytheville, AR
Joe was a much beloved father of 8, a son, brother, and grandson. He was a member of New Mount Olive M.B. church in Blytheville.
On January 14th, Blytheville police responded to a call of a man being shot. When officers arrived, they found Joe suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His girlfriend was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm.
Her Name was Rebecca
Age 51 • February 5, 2024 • Paragould, AR
Rebecca was an LPN and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was a much-loved daughter, sister, and mother of 2. She cherished her three grandchildren.
The Sheriff’s office was called out to a home in the area by a friend of Rebecca requesting a welfare check. Deputies then found Rebecca had been shot to death, and her boyfriend was also dead from an apparent gunshot wound. It is believed that it was a murder/suicide.
Their Names were Jacob Sr., Dara, & Aleah
Ages 47, 53, & 14 • February 10, 2024 • Glen Rose, AR
Jacob Sr. and Dara were devoted spouses and parents and talented worship leaders at their church. Dara was a nurturing presence whose greatest joy was found in her roles as mother and grandmother. She delighted in homemaking; cooking meals from scratch, baking, cultivating a vegetable garden with her children, and tending to her chickens. Dara loved the outdoors and could often be found hiking or lying in the sun on her deck. She had a beautiful, sparkling white smile, an infectious laugh, and lit up whatever room she was in.
Jacob Sr. enjoyed working with his hands – everything from leatherwork to auto mechanics to welding. He built the deck on their home, his workshop, and the motorcycles he and Dara liked to ride. Jacob was also a talented musician and a gifted artist, especially working in pencil. He and his family loved camping and being outdoors together.
Their daughter Aleah was known as a bright ray of sunshine with a spirited personality and always cared about others more than herself. She had an unforgettable smile and a heart full of love. Aleah attended church with her parents, where she enjoyed participating in the youth group and helping in the nursery. Aleah was a student at Glen Rose High School and participated in marching and concert band contests as a saxophonist. She was an avid reader and loved fantasy – her favorite being the Harry Potter series.
First responders received a call about a structure fire at a home. When responders entered the home to put the fire out, they found a deceased person with a gunshot wound, and upon further searching, found two more people who were shot to death as well. Jacob Sr., his wife, Dara, and their daughter, Aleah, were all shot, and then the house was set on fire. During the investigation, deputies established that Jacob Sr. and Dara’s son had shot and killed his parents and sister.
Their Names were Teangela & Noel
Ages 27 & 2 Months • February 13, 2024 • North Little Rock, AR
Teangela was a devoted mother and beloved daughter, granddaughter, and sibling. Noel was her cherished son.
Police responded to a call of a woman wrapped in a blanket on the on-ramp to I-440. When officers arrived, they found Teangela and her two children, 2-month-old Noel, and a toddler. Teangela had already died, and both children were unresponsive. The toddler was taken immediately to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and Teangela and Noel were pronounced dead at the scene. During the investigation, it was found that Teangela’s boyfriend shot and killed her at their shared home and then took her and the two children and dumped them on the side of the road. He was arrested and charged with two counts of Capital Murder, one count of Attempted Murder, and one count of tampering with evidence.
Her Name was Amari
Age 20 • March 10, 2024 • Jonesboro, AR
Amari was a joy to be around, always making others laugh and making sure those around her were having a good time. She had a passion for doing hair and was a beautician and a young entrepreneur. She leaves many family members who will cherish her memories, including her brothers, sisters, and grandparents.
Police officers responded to reports of a shooting incident at a private party. When officers arrived, they found multiple people with gunshot wounds. Amari was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where she later died. It is believed that Amari’s boyfriend opened fire on the party to kill his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself.
Her Name was Starla
Age 16 • March 27, 2024 • Helena, AR
Starla was a beloved daughter and sister.
When officers arrived in response to a shots-fired call, they spoke with a mother who said that her son had shot his sister, Starla, and then himself. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that during an argument, the brother fired a gun multiple times, and one of those shots hit Starla in the head. He then turned the gun on himself and shot himself, resulting in a murder/suicide.
Her Name was Vicki
Age 51 • March 29, 2024 • Centerton, AR
Vicki was a beloved mother, known for her kind and caring personality. She never knew a stranger and had a beautiful smile that could light up a room. She worked at Walmart’s home office for 23 years, and had been retired for 7 years. Vicki will be remembered for her loving nature, sense of humor, and the unconditional love she showed to her family and friends.
Vicki was arguing with her son at her home. During the argument, Vicki told her son she wanted him to leave, and instead of leaving, he entered back into the home, grabbed a butcher knife, and started stabbing Vicki. When police arrived at the location, they found Vicki inside the home with stab wounds to her abdomen, chest, arm, and throat. She was rushed to an area hospital, where she succumbed to the injuries. Her son was arrested and charged with Capital Murder.
Her Name was Santana
Age 33 • April 5, 2024 • North Little Rock, AR
Santana was a loved and cherished daughter, granddaughter, mother, and sister.
Officers responded to a call referencing a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they located four victims, all with gunshot wounds. Santana was pronounced dead at the scene. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Santana’s boyfriend had shot all four people. He was arrested and charged with Capital Murder, three counts of Attempted Murder, being a felon with a gun, and four counts of committing a terroristic act.
His Name was Jamie
Age 49 • April 8, 2024 • North Little Rock, AR
Authorities were called to a home in reference to a domestic disturbance and shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they spoke with a woman who told them that during an argument with her boyfriend, Jamie, she shot him. Officers found Jamie dead at his home. His girlfriend was taken into custody and charged with Capital Murder.
He was an Unnamed Baby Boy
Age 3 Months • April 14, 2024 • Little Rock, AR
Reports state that an Unnamed Baby Boy was brought into the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Emergency room after he vomited while being burped and began struggling to breathe. The father told police that the baby’s mother had left the infant with him before going to work. Baby Boy was declared brain dead on April 14th, and the cause of death by the hospital revealed evidence of “a devastating brain injury that no surgical intervention can reverse.” Doctors determined the injuries were signs of physical abuse. The father was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including Capital Murder.
Her Name was Lyric
Age 19 • April 24, 2024 • Springdale, AR
Reports from police state that officers were dispatched in reference to a shooting. When officers arrived, they found four people with gunshot wounds. Lyric and two others were rushed to the nearest hospital, where she died from her injuries, and the two others were later released. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Lyric’s boyfriend got into an argument with her while she was in her car with the two other people. He opened fire on the vehicle, killing Lyric, injuring the two others, and then turned the gun on himself, resulting in a murder/suicide.
Their Names were Brittany & David
Ages 38 & 40 • May 4, 2024 • East End, AR
Authorities received a 911 call from a boy who said his uncle was attacking his parents, Brittany and David. When deputies arrived, they found Brittany and David stabbed to death. During the investigation, the uncle was arrested and charged with First-Degree Murder, First-Degree Battery, and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.
Her Name was Brittany
Age 33 • May 4, 2024 • Little Rock, AR
Officers responded to a shots-fired call and located Brittany suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where she died from her injuries. Upon further investigation, Brittany’s boyfriend was arrested and charged with Capital Murder.
Her Name was Altha
Age 85 • May 15, 2024 • Little Rock, AR
Deputies responded to a home after reports of gunshots in the area. When they arrived, Altha was found suffering from gunshot wounds. She later died from her injuries. Investigations found that her son had shot and killed his mother. He was arrested and charged with Capital Murder and First-Degree Criminal Mischief.
Her Name was Heather
Age 36 • June 14, 2024 • Mountain Home, AR
Officers were called to a residence by paramedics for a woman who was found bleeding from the ear outside the residence. Paramedics said she was cold to the touch with no cardiac rhythm when they arrived. When officers arrived, they found the woman’s boyfriend asleep on the couch inside the home. During the investigation, detectives determined that the boyfriend shot Heather in the head and then went inside and went to sleep. Heather had called her parents earlier and told them that she and her boyfriend had been arguing and he had “struck her in the face.” Her parents arrived at her home, found Heather, and called 911. The boyfriend was arrested and charged with First-Degree Murder.
Her Name was Amber
Age 27 • June 15, 2024 • Hot Springs, AR
Police investigated a call regarding shots fired. When they arrived on the scene, they found Amber shot to death. During the investigation, they learned that her boyfriend had shot and killed her and then went to another location, and then killed himself, resulting in a murder/suicide.
Her Name was Mary
Age 44 • June 17, 2024 •Pine Bluff, AR
Reports state that witnesses saw Mary Christopher in her vehicle outside of a store with her 8-year-old son, and her husband was talking to her while standing outside of the vehicle. He then shot her and fled the scene to a local park, where he was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead, resulting in a murder/suicide.