Domestic violence deaths in Utah were up in 2005 compared to the year before, according to a statistical report released by the Utah Domestic Violence Council.
Domestic violence-related deaths rose to 33 in 2005, an increase over the 23 reported in 2004.
"What this means for us as a council, we need to get our message out more clearly and loudly to end domestic violence," said UDVC executive director Judy Kasten Bell.
Guns were used in 25 of the domestic violence-related fatalities in 2005 while knives were used in five others.
Just as tragic, at least 31 children either witnessed deaths or were nearby when a person died as a result of domestic violence. Among those:
Brea Lynn Kirchoff, 26, was shot and killed Feb. 13, 2005, by her boyfriend in front of her three young children and 13-year-old brother.
Gerald "Bobo" Fain Jr., 19, was allegedly stabbed to death by his father in November in front of Bobo's 11- and 12-year-old siblings.
The Utah Domestic Violence Council counts any death due to domestic violence in its statistics, including suicides. So a murder-suicide situation would count as two deaths in the council's data, whereas most police agencies only count domestic violence-related homicides.
On average, domestic violence-related deaths account for a third of all homicides in the state, Bell said. In 2004, 20 of the 33 domestic violence-related deaths were classified as homicides, according to statistics from the domestic violence council.
Last year, the youngest domestic violence fatality was 4 months old and the oldest was 88, according to the council.
Christian D'Agnillo, 4 months, was found dead next to his parents, who died as a result of a murder-suicide in Weber County in September. The boy's parents had been dead for more than a week before they were discovered. The cause of death for the boy was undetermined.
So far in 2006, there have been at least four domestic violence-related deaths under the council's system for compiling statistics. The most recent happened just over the weekend in Emery County where a man was arrested for allegedly strangling his long-time girlfriend.
To combat the problem of domestic violence, Bell said more public awareness is needed and more information about available resources needs to get out.
Family members, friends and neighbors are encouraged to keep their eyes and ears open for patterns of violent behavior. A death is not likely to occur after just one domestic dispute or incident of domestic violence, but it becomes more likely if the behavior is allowed to continue.
"There's a step process, we believe, that leads to more drastic physical violence and/or death," Bell said. "It's not triggered by an outburst. It's part of a pattern of power and control that increases in intensity."
People seeking help can call 1-800-897-LINK, or 5465.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com