Louisiana Domestic Violence Victims & Survivors (2019–2024)
Victims of Domestic Violence in Louisiana (Last 5 Years)
Below you’ll find the names and stories of Louisianans who have suffered from domestic violence since 2019. Every story here is based on news reports, nonprofit survivor accounts, or official public records. We believe it’s important to honor victims and survivors by preserving these stories — even when the original news sources may no longer be available.
If you’re looking for information about individuals arrested for domestic violence offenses in Louisiana, please see our Domestic Violence Offender Registry for Louisiana, where you can search by parish.
For those seeking official guidance, procedures, or public arrest records statewide, we recommend our curated list of Official Resources for Louisiana Arrest Records. This page explains where and how to find arrest records, what the law allows, and which agencies provide reliable information.
Important Note About Source Links
Some links on this page point to news stories from Louisiana media, such as The Advocate, WBRZ, or NOLA.com. Local newspapers and TV stations often remove or reorganize their archives, so a link that once worked may now lead to a “404 Not Found” page, a paywall, or a different article. This is common in the U.S., where media companies routinely refresh their websites or limit free access to older stories.
Whenever possible, we include an archived version of the article through web.archive.org (the Wayback Machine). However, even the archive may sometimes only save the headline or a summary, especially if the original was deleted before it could be archived.
If you click a link and get a missing page, here’s what you can do:
- Try copying the link address and pasting it at https://web.archive.org/ — sometimes there are multiple snapshots, and one of them may work.
- Search for the name or case in Google News, which may turn up new reports or recent coverage.
We do our best to verify and preserve each story. Even if the news article is no longer public, the names and cases listed here were confirmed by at least one reputable source when this page was created.
2019
- Billy Ernest, 43; Summer Ernest, 20; Tanner Ernest, 17 (Livingston Parish, 2019) – The Ernest family was wiped out in a horrifying shooting spree when a young man dating Summer showed up at their home and killed three members of the family, then drove to another town and murdered his own parents. Authorities said the tragedy exposed severe gaps in communication between parishes about domestic threats. Friends remembered Billy as a supportive father, Summer as bright and ambitious, and Tanner as the funny sibling who held the family together.
[Source]
2020
- Kennedy Smith, 21 (Baton Rouge, 2020) – Kennedy, a recent LSU graduate, was full of hope and looking forward to her future as a teacher. Her life ended during a late-night argument with her boyfriend, who fatally stabbed her in their apartment. Her story sent shockwaves through the LSU community, prompting vigils and calls for better relationship education and campus safety.
[Source] - Bridgett Seals, 39 (Zachary, 2020) – Despite a court-issued order of protection, Bridgett was killed by her ex-partner after repeated threats and a long pattern of violence. She had reached out for help, but gaps in monitoring and follow-up allowed her abuser to return. Bridgett was a loving mother and friend. Her tragic death prompted local nonprofits to push for more robust enforcement of protective orders in the parish.
[Source] - Maria G. (Monroe, 2020–2023) – Maria, a Monroe resident, survived years of psychological and financial abuse. She went public with her story at a candlelight vigil, sharing how she rebuilt her life with help from a local support group. Her story is now used to train volunteers at a local shelter on the long-term effects of coercive control.
[Source]
2021
- Elizabeth “Liz” Quackenbush, 39 (New Orleans, 2021) – Liz was beloved by her students and colleagues for her warmth and creativity. Her partner took her life in a brutal act with an axe, shocking her school and neighborhood. In her memory, her school painted a mural and started a scholarship for at-risk children, hoping to keep her spirit alive.
[Source] - Lisa Arsenault, 62 (Harahan, 2021) – Lisa, known for her volunteer work and kindness, died after being shot by her long-term partner. Police were called during a violent dispute, but Lisa was fatally wounded before they could intervene. Her church community organized a fundraiser to support victims of domestic violence in her honor.
[Source] - Angela D. (Baton Rouge, 2021, Survivor) – Angela spent years suffering from intimidation and emotional harm at the hands of her partner. With the help of a local advocacy organization, she got a restraining order and credits that step with saving her life. Angela now volunteers with support groups to help other women leave abusive homes.
[Source] - Sandra Hallie (Baton Rouge, 2021, Survivor) – Sandra is a survivor who bravely shares her experience with the public to encourage others. She endured repeated beatings and intimidation, and after escaping, she became a vocal advocate for trauma-informed care and recovery resources.
[Source] - Jessica (Houma, 2021, Survivor) – Jessica fled her abusive spouse, taking her children to safety with the help of a local nonprofit. She later shared her story to inspire others, emphasizing the importance of planning and outside support when leaving a violent relationship.
[Source] - Tonya T. (Shreveport, 2021–2022, Survivor) – After being hospitalized by a violent boyfriend, Tonya found support in a shelter and shared her journey on local news. She credits the advocacy group for giving her the tools to restart her life.
[Source]
2022
- Cassandra Jones (New Orleans, 2022) – Cassandra was killed outside her home by an ex-boyfriend with a history of violence, even though she had a restraining order. Her death, caught on camera, sparked city-wide debate and efforts to improve protection for women in similar danger.
[Source] - Melissa S. (Shreveport, 2022, Survivor) – Melissa left an abusive marriage and rebuilt her life through the support of The Providence House, a local shelter that helped her find work and regain confidence. She now mentors other survivors.
[Source] - Maria G. (Monroe, 2022–2023, Survivor) – Maria’s journey out of an abusive relationship took years. She publicly spoke about her experiences at a vigil and became involved in peer counseling.
[Source] - Anonymous (Slidell, 2022–2023, Survivor) – After writing to a regional online forum about her husband’s escalating aggression, this survivor was connected with Safe Harbor’s crisis line, where she received emergency housing and counseling.
[Source]
2023
- Three siblings (New Orleans, 2023) – Ages 3, 5, and 7, these children lost their lives in a house fire set by their father during a domestic dispute. Their mother, who survived, later became an advocate for fire safety and domestic violence prevention, working with local first responders to educate others.
[Source] - Arin (child, New Orleans, 2023) – The son of Adrienne Winfrey, Arin’s death led his mother to found a crisis center in his name. She now travels the state sharing their story, hoping to protect other families from similar pain.
[Source] - Anonymous (Monroe, 2023, Survivor) – A mother and her two children were rescued by police after a neighbor reported ongoing abuse. The family was safely relocated, and the mother shared her gratitude in a local interview, encouraging neighbors to speak up if they suspect violence.
[Source] - Anonymous Teen (St. Tammany Parish, 2023, Survivor) – After being assaulted by her boyfriend at a school football game, this teen’s case led the district to update school safety and domestic violence policies. Her mother spoke out in local media to encourage other parents to listen for warning signs.
[Source]
2024
- Brenda Morris, 44 (Gonzales, 2024) – Brenda was shot and killed in her own home by her husband, who had a long record of violence. The community came together to support her surviving children and to call for better intervention programs for repeat offenders.
[Source] - Anonymous (Bossier City, 2024, Survivor) – A local police report included the story of a woman who called 911 after a violent episode with her partner. She later worked with officers to help launch a parish-wide awareness campaign.
[Source] -
Jenny Williamson, 49; Steven Williamson, 49; child (Livingston Parish, 2024) – A tragic murder-suicide: Jenny Williamson killed her husband and their 8-year-old child before taking her own life. The story shocked the local community and led to new discussions about the warning signs of domestic violence even in seemingly stable families.
Original report: wbrz.com (historical only) -
Colby Frederick (Livingston Parish, 2024) – Local councilman Colby Frederick was arrested for domestic abuse battery after an incident at his home. The victim’s name was withheld, but the case attracted statewide media attention due to Frederick’s public position and prompted calls for stricter consequences for public officials accused of domestic violence.
Original report: theadvocate.com (historical only)
If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to the Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-411-1333 or lcadv.org.