Woman Who Helped Domestic Violence Victims Shot Dead By Ex-Boyfriend

[Sugar Cookie]

Leslie Reeves, 45, was found dead on Thanksgiving Day, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Police believe the shooting at the home of Christopher Smith, the man Reeves was dating, occurred the night before. Smith, 48, was shot in the head and transported to hospital in a critical condition, according to the newspaper.

Robert Tarr, Reeves' ex-boyfriend, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. He was arrested without incident at his home in Collinsville on Friday.

Police went to Smith's home for a wellness check after he failed to show up for a Thanksgiving lunch and Reeves' friends could not reach her.

Reeves ran a studio in Troy, Illinois, that provided a space for women to practice yoga, undergo fitness training and learn self-defense.

Reeve's friend Dawn Mushill, the executive director of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement paying tribute to Reeves.

"I later learned that Leslie was a domestic violence advocate who had a goal–train women and men, who were in domestic violence situations, to be able to defend themselves."

Reeves also spoke on issues about women's safety and sponsored "Girls With Guns," a course for women that taught firearms safety.

She also volunteered for Call For Help, an agency that supports victims of sexual assault, and served on the board of Good Samaritan House, a domestic violence shelter.

Mushill said: "She created and surrounded herself with a tribe—safe places, counselors, food pantries, groups, non-profit organizations—she had them all on speed dial, to help anyone who needed assistance. Many people were not aware of all that Leslie did, and, for a good reason."

Reeves also leaves behind two children, who Mushill said "were her life."

Andrew Affrunti, the Montgomery County state attorney, told a judge during the initial court appearance on Tuesday that authorities believe Reeves was "executed" by Tarr.

According to a probable cause statement, Tarr told officers he hadn't left his home and didn't know where Farmersville was, but neighbors said he came home shortly after midnight Wednesday looking upset and disheveled.

Affrunti said Tarr's text messages show he knew that Reeves was on a date with Smith in Farmersville.

Woman Who Helped Domestic Violence Victims Shot Dead By Ex-Boyfriend—Police

Tarr remains jailed on $3 million bail following his arraignment Tuesday afternoon on first-degree murder and attempted murder charges. He was arrested at his Collinsville home Friday after cops got a warrant to search his property, Affrunti said in a statement obtained by The Post.

Investigators found Reeves and Smith at his Farmersville home on Thanksgiving, although detectives believe the pair were shot the night before during their date, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Christopher J. Smith, a 48-year-old man who lived at the home, was also shot, but survived and was listed in critical condition, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Convicted burglar charged with killing ex who taught self-defense classes, gun safety

Robert J. Tarr, 48, is accused of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Leslie J. Reeves, 45, of Troy, who was gunned down last week while on a date at a home in Farmersville.

nypost.com

 

[Sevens My Charm]

 

[Symmachus]

Sad irony that this woman who advocated passionately for the protection of (abused) women ended up being killed by an angry man herself. I hope she rests in power. Her death happened well before her time.

 

[Sejanus]

He needs to be put to death.
Slowly.

She was by all accounts a decent human being that was only trying to live a good life.
Worst first date ever.