A 39-year-old Yakima woman is dead and her 54-year old boyfriend is under arrested for investigation of murder. Now the victim's family thinks her death is a result of domestic violence.
Eli Salazar brings flowers to the front door of Felicia Brooks' Walnut Avenue apartment where police believe she died this morning allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend.
"I don't know what caused this, I don't know if it was money or whatever it was, it should have happened," says Salazar.
Her cousin can't believe Brooks is dead.
"It just hurts me to know that she has to be gone like this," says Barbara Ayala.
The victim's boyfriend, 54 year old Richard Robeson called 9-1-1 at 4:30 a.m. to report Brooks unconsious on the floor. Paramedics couldn't revive the victim, and she died at the scene from severe injuries to her head.
"We do believe in this point and time, that the trauma to the head is primarily from fists," says Lt. Mike Merryman.
Robeson was taken to the hospital for treatment-- after further questioning officers arrested him to face charges relating to Brooks' death.
The victim's cousin believes Robeson was extremely abusive.
"He kept my cousin held up in fear all the time," says Ayala.
But one friend says he never saw the violent side of the suspect.
"I know in front of us he never did nothing," says Salazar.
Police say Brooks' death may serve as a textbook example of what can happen when an abusive relationship gets out of hand.
"This may again be a case that illustrates the risk of being involved in relationships that have assaultive behavior," says Lt. Merryman.
As for Barbara Ayala, she'll always wonder if there was more she could do to help her cousin.
"You know what, I should have went back last night, I should have went back," says Ayala.
An autopsy on Felicia Brooks is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Richard Robeson could appear in court as early as tomorrow to face murder charges.
This is Yakima's fifth homicide of the year.
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