Domestic violence victims remembered

I didn't know Kelly Ladner very well — we never spoke outside of saying hello — but I remember seeing her at various festivals and clubs.

She was always dancing, always smiling. She was a free spirit without a care in the world.

At least that's the way I remember her.

Kelly was killed Jan. 2, allegedly by her boyfriend. She died of blunt-force trauma.

In other words, she was beaten to death.

A lot of my friends knew Kelly, so as news of her death spread, I saw many posts on Facebook about how much she would be missed, how hard it was to believe she was gone and other things of that nature.

Kelly's friends quickly sprung into action and set up a Facebook page as a tribute to the shining star that had been dimmed too soon and too violently.

A post on the tribute page, asking her friends to share photos and memories of her, says: "Kelly Ladner was so full of love and life. She was only 37 when her life was stolen from the world on January 2nd. 2016 by someone who's (sic) actions left a void for everyone who ever knew her."

A few days later, I was asked to take over the crime beat for a while. The first day on my new beat began with another homicide.

Nicholas Brown was found beaten to death in his home. His roommate was charged with his murder.

The day before Kelly was murdered, another Hattiesburg woman, Anna Griffith, was shot to death, her boyfriend the alleged killer.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who was shocked, saddened and horrified by the deaths of these three people.

I set out to learn more about these victims of domestic violence, to share their stories, but I was unsuccessful in finding anyone who knew Brown, and when I went to the apartment complex where Griffith lived, none of her neighbors would open the door. I looked for their obituaries in our paper to hopefully find family members who would talk, but no obituary ever appeared.

It made me sad to think that their lives, taken too soon, would come down to the news reports of their deaths without a picture, without a kind word, without a farewell.

As a way to remember these victims — and others like them — and to raise awareness of domestic violence, I decided to work on a story that would shed some light on the crime in hopes it might help someone someday.

Along the way I spoke with many people who helped me learn more about it. I would like to thank them for taking the time to work with me on the project.

Some of my friends have asked if doing stories like this upsets me. I had to think about it a little. And I have to admit that, yes, it does make me sad. But at the same time, I have met some amazing people — strong, brave people who have inspired me.

And that makes it all worthwhile.

Lici Beveridge is the engagement editor and audience analyst for the Hattiesburg American. Reach her at lbeveridge@hattiesburgamerican.com or (601) 584-3104.

Recognizing the signs and stopping the cycle of abuse