Erica Owen
Domestic violence order wasn't enough for murder victim
By Katie Kapusta
WFIE News
OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) - We are learning new information on the death of 25-year-old Erica Owen. She is the victim of a possible murder and attempted suicide in Owensboro.
The Daviess County coroner says the initial results show Owen died from asphyxia strangulation on Tuesday.
Matthew Adams has been charged with her murder, but we uncovered some troubling actions from his past.
Erica Owen was a nurse, and friends say she was a happy-go-lucky woman. But after her death, signs show she was terrified of Matthew Adams, even filing a Domestic Violence Order against him.
"A domestic violence order, for what it's designed to do, it can be effective," Andrew Boggess with the Owensboro Police Department said. "And it does give us another tool; another resource to use."
Police say domestic violence orders can only be retrieved by the victim, and sometimes it's not enough.
"Getting away where you're not able to be located is probably the best potential solution," Boggess said.
The Oasis Shelter in Owensboro allows for people in domestic violent relationships to have a place to feel safe.
"We do offer sheltered services, and that is we keep you safe from harm," Suzanne Craig the Board Chair at Oasis said. "And so we don't turn anyone away from any circumstance."
They say even if you do have a domestic violence order, to always have a backup plan in case you need it.
"Regardless, if that person has an EPO (emergency protective order) or not, still do that safety planning," Tiffany Pearl the Residential director at Oasis said. "That safety planning is very important."
Ultimately, domestic violence orders don't always protect those who need to be protected.
"At the end of the day, domestic violence orders, like I said, it's a good tool; it's not magically going to protect somebody," Boggess said.
http://www.14news.com/story/38582571...-murder-victim
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