Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

VICTIM OF VIOLENCE MEMBER STORIES

This page is dedicated to the Victims of Violence whose personal stories emphasize the need for all
Americans to work to turn the tide of crime and violence that threatens us all. They are dedicating
themselves to our mission by helping to promote the kinds of investments that will keep our children
from becoming criminals. We celebrate their resilience and response to tragedy, which they demonstrate
by their willingness to work for a safer America.

The members' stories are listed alphabetically by state. Please click on the letter corresponding to the state name.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A Arizona
	Deborah and Doug Parnham, Phoenix, AZ - Deborah and Doug's 16 year old son, Brent Lorentz, was shot on December 5, 1992 in a senseless drive-by shooting. Brent died a week later on December 12. Determined to save others from a lifetime of pain, Deborah co- founded a non-profit organization called Life Sentence in March of 1998. Life Sentence's mission is to educate youth, parents, and the public on the devastating effects of crime. Life Sentence collaborates with detention centers, churches, schools, and other local organizations.
B C California Luisa Ashley, Tujunga, CA - Luisa's 21-year-old son, Anthony, was killed in a gang-related home invasion. His death prompted his mother to seek help in finding his murderer (on trial now) and to urge support for others who become victims of crime.
	Maggie Elvey, Sacramento, CA - On April 28, 1993 Maggie Elvey's husband of 29 years, Ross Elvey, was brutally beaten by two juveniles during a robbery of his business in Vista, California. Ross remained in a coma for 41 days before he passed away on June 7, 1993. Shortly after Ross's death, Maggie became a member of the Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau, which started her long and distinguished career as a crime victims' advocate, including serving as the bureau's executive director from 1997-1999. She has dedicated her life to educating others about victims' rights issues.

Marc Klaas, Sausalito, CA - Marc's twelve year-old daughter, Polly, was abducted from her bedroom during a slumber party with her friends. Polly was strangled to death. The murderer had a prior arrest record including kidnapping and drug abuse. He confessed to the murder after police found his handprint in her bedroom and was sentenced to the death penalty. Marc Klaas is the founder of the Polly Klaas Foundation. The foundation responds to cases of missing and abducted children; educates children, parents, and the community on issues related to child safety; and promotes legislative change regarding child safety issues.
	Dennis Lees, Willits, CA - Dennis' daughter, Sarah, was murdered at the age of 23 in her own home by a 21-year-old multiple offender who had broken into her house minutes before she arrived. Sarah was a full-time college student, working two part-time jobs. The man that murdered her had a long arrest record, including several arrests for violent attacks on women. Dennis is a social work supervisor for the Mendocino County Social Service Department: Child Protective Services Emergency Response Team. Mr. Lees has also had an opinion editorial published in the Sacramento Bee, titled "Invest in children now- or pay the price later."

Alexandra Matteucci, Castro Valley, CA - Alexandra's son, Joe (nicknamed "Tooch") was looking forward to finishing high school and becoming a psychologist. In 1993 he was killed in a brawl after a sporting event at Proctor School at the age of 17. During the brawl, one of the players swung a bat and accidentally struck Joe in the back of the head. Joe was declared dead a short time later. Alexandra speaks on the subject of youth violence, the grief process, and the outcome of a tragic event in her life. She currently speaks in high school assemblies, colleges, second chance programs, county jails and at mediation trainings funded by a collaborative program between JMF and Mediation Services: the "Stand for Peace Workshop." Harriet Salarno, San Francisco, CA - In 1979 Harriet's oldest daughter, Carina, was stalked and murdered, execution style, by her boyfriend prior to her first day of school at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Nina, Harriet's daughter, was a witness to significant events to this tragedy. As a result, she and her family became immersed in the criminal justice system. Harriet is President of Crime Victims United of California. Return to top Colorado Beth Nimmo, Littleton, CO - Beth's daughter, Rachel, was one of the 13 people (12 students and one teacher) killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. The two murderers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, committed suicide at the scene before the police could arrest them. Beth has published two books: Rachel's Peers, which she co-authored with Rachel's father, and Journals of Rachel Scott, a compendium of lessons to be learned from the Columbine tragedy for teen-age girls. Beth has become a full-time mother and is quite focused on helping her son, Craig, recover from the traumatic experience at Columbine. She also has partnered with Darrell and her two daughters in the Columbine Redemption, a non-profit ministry dedicated to learning the lessons from Columbine. Return to top Connecticut
	Lawrence and Shirley Bostrom, Marlborough, CT - The Bostroms' daughter, Margie, was murdered on August 16, 1996 at age 31 by her husband, Mitchell Paster. Margie had returned home from work that morning and was showering when her husband went downstairs to the kitchen, took a butcher knife, walked back upstairs to the shower and stabbed his wife 16 times. He was tried and found guilty. In1998 he received a reduced sentence of 20 years and 10 months. The Bostroms gives formal presentations on preventing violence. Shirley has also written a book Funny - He doesn't Look Like a Murderer, But Margie is Dead.
Return to top D E F Florida
	Jean E. Lewis, Sarasota, FL - Jean's son, Scott, was age 21 when he disappeared in September of 1979. He was found murdered in April of 1980. Jean has facilitated "The courage to grieve: A Weekend of Hope and Healing," retreats around the country. She's also presented workshops about the aftermath of murder at various trainings and conferences.

Return to top G H I Illinois Bill Jenkins, Northfield, IL - In 1997 Bill's 16 year-old son, William, was murdered during the course of a robbery at his place of employment on August 12, 1997. William was shot and died instantly. Bill has authored a book titled What to do When the Police Leave, which is recognized as one of the most informative tools for grieving families and the caregivers who work with them. He is a certified trained member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

	Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, Northfield IL - Jennifer's sister, Nancy Bishop Langer, age 25, and her husband, Richard Langert, age 30, were murdered on April 2, 1990 during a home invasion. Nancy was three months pregnant at the time of the murder.

	Dorothy Papachristos, Chicago, IL - Dorothy is founder of Chicago's "Communities Dare to Care" Program. She is a longtime National Gang Crime Research Center staff person who has enormous experience with gangs, gang prevention, and gang intervention. Dorothy has been an active community activist, involved in crime-fighting organizations, as well as working with troubled street kids, frequently inviting them into her home and making them part of her family until they were rehabilitated. In an ironic and sad turn of events, Dorothy's business was destroyed by arson. She received threats from gang members prior to the fire and boasts from gang members after the fact.

Return to top J K L M Massachusetts
	Robert "Renny" Cushing, Cambridge, MA - Renny's mom and dad were in their living room watching television when the doorbell rang. Robert, Renny's father, went to answer the door and was shot through the screen door in the hallway of his home. Robert died from two shotgun wounds on June 1, 1988. The murder remains unsolved. Renny continues to work with Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation.

Jane Montgomery, Waltham, MA - On September 12, 1981 Jane's 24 year-old daughter, Elizabeth, was murdered in Houston, TX by Coral Eugene Watts. Watts was a serial killer who admitted to murdering 30 women. Watts was never tried and convicted of murder. He negotiated a plea to tell authorities the whereabouts of his other victims. Elizabeth's body was found in return for a 60 year sentence. Return to top N Nebraska Sadie Bankston, Omaha, NE - Sadie's son, Wendell, was murdered in 1989, due to a gang-related incident. Sadie is the Founder and Director of People Uniting Lending Support and Encouragement (PULSE). She is responsible for coordinating activities associated with victim assistance for families who have been traumatized by the tragedy of homicide. She also works with law enforcement and community organizations to assist with crisis intervention. Return to top New Jersey Pamela Corrente, Edison, NJ - Pamela's 21-year-old son, Damian, was gunned down on January 14, 1999 in Freeport, NY in a pool hall parking lot. Damian was a pre-med student at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The murders have not been apprehended. Pam fought back by starting a gang awareness program called G.A.S.P. (Gang Awareness Suppression and Prevention Program), which promotes education, early intervention and gang prevention. Pam is also a children's program manager for television in New York City. Return to top New Mexico
	Joan Shirley, Albuquerque, NM - Joan's son, Kevin, was murdered on May 29, 1999 at the age of 17. He and two friends were coming home from a party and were gunned down. It appeared to have been a random shooting. The case has never been solved and remains under active investigation.
Return to top New York
	Patricia Mary Bodnar, Monroe NY - On August 3, 1990 the Bodnars' home was invaded by a man who was high on alcohol and crack cocaine. The intruder held a knife to Pat's neck and threatened to kill her. When her husband, Alex, awoke he was stabbed in the chest. Alex was able to retrieve his revolver and shot and killed the intruder, but he died from the stab wounds. Patricia then turned her tragedy to triumph and co-founded the Orange County Coalition for Crime Victims Rights. She presently works at the Orange County Department of Social Services. Pat has received a community service award from the National Association of Police Chiefs and the New York State Woman of Distinction Award, among other tributes.
Return to top O Oklahoma

Perry and Edith Shoals, Tulsa, OK - On June 12, 1992, around 11pm, the Shoals' daughter, Lordette, was gunned down while talking to her mother on a pay phone. Lordette was in the phone booth, and a young man demanded that she give him her car keys. She refused, so he shot her, took the keys, and stole the car. Edith founded Families of Murdered Children, which has consistently provided a safe and supportive environment for survivors of homicide victims to share feelings of grief, pain and suffering that will ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation which often come as a result of losing a loved one through an act of violence. The program quickly expanded to promote anti-violence, a full-service recreational center, after-school care, and summer camp.

Return to top P Pennsylvania Frank and Dorothy Thoma, Springdale, PA - The Thoma's daughter, Melissa, was murdered on August 28, 1998 at the age of 26. The perpetrator was a former boyfriend. He broke into her apartment one night and held Melissa and her new boyfriend hostage for several hours. When the phone rang and Melissa went to answer, the perpetrator followed her into the kitchen, allowing the new boyfriend to escape. He called the police and they arrived just in time to hear the shots that killed Melissa. The murderer then turned the gun on himself. Return to top Q R S South Dakota
	Joyce Hofer, Bridgewater, SD - Joyce's son, Steven, was murdered in 1980, at the age of 21. He was in transit from Lynchburg, Virginia to his home in Bridgewater, South Dakota. His body was found three miles from a gas station where he had stopped to fill up on gas on November 12. He had just returned from a month evangelical mission to Rumania. He had completed his third year at the Jerry Falwell School of Ministry in Lynchburg, VA.

Return to top T Tennessee
	Yvonne M. Becton, Memphis, TN - Yvonne's 32-year-old daughter, Vicki Lynn McKinney, was shot on August 26, 1994 in crossfire at a convenience store. She was taken off life support on Sept. 8, 1994. Three men were tried and convicted of murder. Yvonne now works as a Victim Assistance specialist for a non-profit organization called "Victims to Victory."
Return to top Texas Brenda O'Quin, Ft. Worth, TX - Brenda's son, Michael McEachern, was murdered in 1985 at the age of 17. Michael and a friend had stopped at a fast food place one night after a party when one of the employees asked for a ride home for himself and another person. On the way, the employee pulled a gun and shot both her son and the friend. The murderer was apprehended the next day, tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Brenda is Texas state coordinator and member of the board of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc., as well as part of the national murder response team trained to handle mass casualty incidents. Brenda is also a certified trained member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. Return to top U V Virginia Polly Franks, Richmond, VA - Polly's three daughters were molested by a neighbor in the late nineties. Joseph Frank Smith was a chronic sex offender, a serial rapist, and child molester in Texas, having assaulted at least 200 women there. He was convicted and given a probated sentence on the condition he would submit to a chemical castration at John Hopkins in Maryland. Smith offended again, and was given another suspended sentence, but he was re-arrested in 1998 for assaulting a woman. Lorraine Reed, Manassas, VA - On January 29, 1999, a so-called acquaintance of Stacie, Lorraine's 16-year-old daughter, came into their home and stabbed Stacie twice in the heart, and attempted to murder her 14-year-old sister, Kristie Reed. Kristie miraculously survived. However, Stacie died instantly. Lorraine is Chapter Leader, Parents of Murdered Children in Manassas, VA. Return to top W Washington Jenny Wieland, Everett, WA - Jenny's 17-year-old daughter and only child was shot and murdered by another teen in November 1992. Jenny then turned her pain into purpose by working to reduce youth violence. She became the founding board member of Mothers Against violence in America (MAVIA) in 1994. While working with MAVIA she helped create and implement many programs including the acclaimed Washington state model of the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence and the annual SAVE (Students Against Violence Everyone) youth Summit. Jenny is currently the Executive Director of Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims in Everett, Washington. Return to top West Virginia
	Diane D. Eagle, Masontown, WV - Diane is a survivor of attempted murder. In November 1999, she encountered her ex-husband on a snowy mountain road in West Virginia. He had been drinking and attempted to run her off the road, ramming the car repeatedly. He would likely have killed her had it not been for a passerby who came upon the scene, forcing her ex-husband to flee. She pressed charges and he was given a suspended sentence and a restraining order. Diane has become very active in crime prevention work in West Virginia. She's also a Court Appointed Special Advocate and does public speaking on the subject of domestic violence.
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