Domestic Violence In Cincinnati: Guns Kill Most Victims

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- There were 48 people whose lives were ended by domestic violence in Hamilton County between 1997-2006. The vast majority of the victims were female, 45, and the weapon most frequently used was a gun, although some were strangled, beaten or knifed. University of Cincinnati researchers combed through the crime reports to compile the grim details and look for patterns.

In more than three-fourths of the domestic violence deaths, a couple had separated shortly before the murder, which was cited as the biggest risk factor of all. Fewer than half the deaths involved the slaying of a spouse. Stalking was a sign of danger, as was a prior criminal record, and 27% of the perpetrators were on parole or probation. Sadly, it was not infrequent for children to be present when the violence turned deadly.