Responding to Tragedy: Honoring a Life Lost and Strengthening Our Resolve

On the evening of Sunday, August 4, our community experienced a tragedy and a family’s trajectory was forever changed. A 37-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child were found dead in their home in San Mateo. The discovery was made by the woman’s family, and it appears she was killed by her boyfriend, who left the scene and was later apprehended in Los Angeles by law enforcement, who were made aware of what happened. The woman was 9 months pregnant and leaves behind four children.

As we process this horrific event, it’s hard to not think about the number of lives that have been and will be impacted by this tragedy. As a domestic violence service organization that offers mental health support, our hearts are with the family who no doubt are coping with trauma from having discovered a slain loved one. And for the four children left behind, we know the road ahead will be difficult learning to live their lives without their mother.

Sadly, homicide is a leading cause of death among pregnant women in the United States, with 50-75% of women who are abused before pregnancy continuing to experience abuse during pregnancy. Though these statistics are painful to read, they and this tragedy are a reminder that we have work to do as a community. Domestic violence is preventable, and we can come together to stop it.

We all have a reason to participate in domestic violence prevention because domestic violence is never an isolated incident; its effects ripple through families, friends, and entire communities. CORA is working hard to make sure that community collaboration and support guide us on our path to creating a safer county. One of our latest prevention efforts, Speak Up, offers a brief but impactful training to city representatives and businesses so that anyone, anywhere has a safe path to seek help. CORA also expanded its partnership with law enforcement this year and is creating an avenue for our advocates to arrive in-person on the scene of 911 domestic violence calls, so survivors can receive more immediate support in the face of the trauma that comes with domestic violence.

If you are a survivor of domestic violence or intimate partner abuse, remember that help is just a phone call away. You can reach CORA anytime through our 24/7 emergency hotline at 800-300-1080. Your safety and well-being are our top priority.

We urge our community to come together in this time of grief and channel our collective sorrow into meaningful action. Domestic violence is preventable, and each of us has a role to play in creating a safer environment for everyone. Whether through volunteering, signing up your business to participate in a 15-minute training through our Speak Up program, or simply spreading awareness, your involvement can make a significant difference. Visit our website at www.corasupport.org or email us at info@corasupport.org to learn more.

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