Silent Witness Ceremony Honors 2023 Victims of Fatal Domestic Violence

Ceremony Held During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson led participants through the 26th annual Silent Witness Domestic Violence ceremony that was held today at the South Carolina State Capitol Complex in Columbia. During the solemn ceremony, Attorney General Wilson called the names of 29 women and seven men from across the state who lost their lives in the previous year as the result of domestic violence.

Family members carried life-sized silhouettes representing victims to the State House steps as a bell was rung for each victim. An additional thirty-seventh (37) silhouette was carried to represent potential unknown victims.

“In silence, we bear witness to the pain and loss caused by domestic violence. It is a somber commitment to remember, to honor, and to break the cycle of abuse,” said Attorney General Wilson. “Domestic violence leaves scars often unseen. By raising awareness and supporting survivors, we can help end the abuse, one act of courage and compassion at a time."

The Violence Policy Center will release a 25-year special report on October 4^th that details data and trends across the nation related to men killing women. The report details state rankings from 1996 through 2020. It lists South Carolina in the top five for 11 years, the top 10 for 12 years, 11^th in 2018, and a final ranking in 2020 of 23rd in the nation.

The Honorable Alan Wilson, religious leaders and other community members made special remarks to highlight the problem of domestic violence in our state.

A statistical breakdown for each county is available at http://www.scag.gov/criminal-domestic-violence-in-south-carolina.

  2023 SILENT WITNESS VICTIMS

 

 

Rosa Salguero-Landaverde

33 years old

Aiken County

 

Lacey Toole
34 years old

Aiken County

 

Mary Jo McIntyre

24 years old

Anderson County

 

Rebecca Sorrow

71 years old

Anderson County

 

Kalila Heyward-Saunders
22 years old

Beaufort County

 

Tamara Glover

21 years old

Berkeley County

 

Teresa Jenkins

29 years old

Charleston County

 

Megan Rich

41 years old

Charleston County

 

Sandra Stenersen

41 years old

Charleston County

 

Deirdre Holmes

52 years old

Colleton County

 

Ozell McClain

69 years old

Darlington County

 

Linda Peets

75 years old

Dorchester County

 

Tamika Monique McGray

47 years old

Florence County

 

Taylor McFadden Robinson

29 years old

Florence County

 

Natasha Middleton

44 years old

Georgetown County

 

Emily Richitelli

30 years old

Georgetown County

 

Doris Howell

79 years old

Greenville County

 

Curtavious Smith

24 years old

Greenville County

 

Clarrissa Winchester

22 years old

Greenville County

 

Teresa Ellis

60 years old

Greenwood County

 

Deerica Fisher

21 years old

Horry County

 

Betzabeth Xolta Meza

26 years old

Horry County

 

Christy Rozier

34 years old

Lancaster County

 

Terry Chermak

49 years old

Laurens County

 

Sabrina Jackson

34 years old

Lexington County

 

Reggie Ford

43 years old

Marion County

 

Janice Pryer

54 years old

Marlboro County

 

Terrance Boyd

43 years old

Oconee County

 

Kennedy Drayton

31 years old

Pickens County

 

Brenda Coker

72 years old

Richland County

 

Michelle Hayes

51 years old

Richland County

 

Patricia Perry

49 years old

Saluda County

 

Narada Davis

42 years old

Spartanburg County

 

 Donna Long

21 years old

Spartanburg County

 

Shantell Reynolds

47 years old

Sumter County

 

Stanley Jones

33 years old

Union County