Thursday, October 13, 2011

Article: Valley family takes domestic violence center stage in honor of daughter

TEMPE, AZ - Preventing domestic violence is taking center stage for a Valley family.

After the devastating loss of their daughter, Linda and John King are sending a strong message to abusers in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"He didn't call 911 until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon," Linda King said.

Her mission is to end domestic violence after losing her 28-year-old daughter Lisa.

"It was after being in a violent relationship that lasted off and on for nine years," Linda said.

Linda says she’s convinced her daughter's ex-husband killed her.

"She had actually been divorced from him for three years when he came back into her life," Linda said.

Linda claims her daughter's ex-husband said all the right things to heal their broken marriage, proclaiming he had changed and would never hurt Lisa again.

"She let him back in thinking things were going to be different,” Linda said. “Then six months later she was dead."

Lisa's family did not want to release the name of her ex-husband but told ABC15 he was charged for her murder.

He was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is serving a 10-year sentence in a Texas prison. He is scheduled to be released next month on Nov. 22.

"Ten years is probably not enough because my fear is that he will offend again," Linda said.

Since their daughter's death, Linda and John have been speaking out against domestic violence by writing and performing a series of plays and musicals throughout the country.

"It's about our daughter, but it's also about every young woman and every family that deals with this," Linda said.

The color purple represents domestic violence awareness and healing but for this Valley mother, it means much more.

"I knew how Lisa would want to wear her hair and makeup for her funeral," King said softly. "So I dressed my daughter's body and I saw the purple bruises on her arms and legs. So to me, purple is the color of pain."

The King family's latest play "Control.Assault.Delete" is being performed Friday, Oct. 15 at Wonderama Theater AT 930 E. University Drive in Tempe.

Proceeds will the SEEDs Program which benefits Valley victims of domestic violence.

For ticket information and times, call 480-890-0579 or 602-459-6506.

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