RICHMOND, Va. -- Nishae Samms, Katrina Banks, and Tammy Jo Clifton are all three beloved mothers whose lives were taken too soon.
The three were murdered on three separate incidents and police believe the deaths were domestic related.
“Those children will have to learn how to function in life with that void that will never go away,” said Sgt. Carol Adams with the Richmond Police Department.
Nishae Samms, Katrina Banks, and Tammy Jo Clifton
Adams knows all too well the pain of losing a family member.
Her mother was murdered over 30 years ago and was a victim of domestic violence.
“It’s unbearable,” said Adams. “The pain is unfathomable.”
Adams now runs her own organization, The Carol Adams Foundation, which provides emergency assistance to victims of domestic violence.
“You have a lot of groups out there doing different work,” said Adams. “There are support groups and that’s what I urge individuals to do.”
Sgt. Carol Adams
The YWCA of Richmond is one of those groups in our area that can provide help.
“Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women,” said Rupa Murthy, Chief Development Officer at the YWCA. “That’s more than car accidents, that’s more than cancer.”
There is a 24 hour hotline that anyone can call who may need help.
That number is 804-612-6126.
“Through that hotline you can find the resources whether that is mental health care or just a person to talk to, talk through a crisis situation, create a safety plan,” said Murthy.
Adams says raising awareness about domestic violence should be done 365 days a year.
“Tomorrow is not promised, so if they know that someone is experiencing domestic violence they need to act now,” said Adams.
You can also contact The Carol Adams Foundation at 804-218-2866 if you need assistance.
