LIBERTY, Mo. — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a Metro area family is hoping others can learn from their loved one’s sudden and tragic death.
“It was nothing to see my sister, Linday in her younger years with bruises all over her body and broken bones she suffered at the hands of her husband most of the tine they were married for 23 years,” said Diane Adkins as she wipes away tears.
Just two weeks ago, Linda Carroll celebrated her 51st birthday.
“She was a warm-spirited, loving sister. I miss her calling me and saying, ‘Hey, what’s up Sissy?’ I really just miss her smile, her sense of humor and her sassy personality,” said Adkins of her sister who was found shot to death on October 1 at the Liberty apartment she shared with her husband, 45-year-old Ervin Carroll.
Carrol now faces several felony charges in connection with his wife’s death including: second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and assault.
“I know he’s saying it was an accident, but it wasn’t an accident as far as I’m concerned,” said Diane Adkins.
According to a probable cause statement, Darla Mondragon, a friend who was with Linda earlier that night and also shot in the foot, told police they returned to the apartment and saw that Ervin had piled his wife’s belongings on the floor and told her to leave.
Mondragon told officers when Ervin pointed a shotgun at his wife, Linda tried to point the muzzle away, but the gun went off, hitting both women. Linda, a mother of three sons ages 19, 23 and 26, died at the hospital the next day.
“We really though it was gonna happen before now. We were surprised it took so long because he (Erivin Carroll) would always hit and beat on my sister. I’d ask her what happened and of course, she would lie because she was scared of him, but we often knew, ” added Diane Adkins.
Statistics show 52 percent of domestic violence homicides are committed by a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse. Moreover, experts want to remind people that such abuse comes in a variety of forms including: physical, verbal, psychological, emotional and sexual.
“I want people in these situations to know that the perpetrator doesn’t change. He or she will tell you they’re gonna stop hitting on you but they won’t. You need to get out of these relationships, get help and stay away,” said Diane Adkins, who now wants justice for her sister.
“I hope he stays in jail as long as they allow him. I”m not sure if I can ever forgive him for what he’s done to my sister,” said Adkins.
