My heart goes out to the loved ones of Heather Palumbo-Jones -- whose body was located today after Chris confessed to murdering her. The details of the murder aren't relevant in this post, because what matters now is that her family and loved ones pick up the pieces and build a life for those children who were robbed of both of their parents.The disappearance hasn't even spanned two weeks, but it's been highly emotional. I've been in contact with friends that knew her well and people who lived in the same town but didn't know her. All-in-all, the sentiment has been the same. This was a horrible tragedy and Chris Jones needs to pay for this.
Multiple lives have been ruined, but now it's time to push forward for justice -- not just for Heather Palumbo-Jones, but for all women, men and children involved in similar situations across the globe. I'm not going to say for certain that this horrible tragedy could have been avoided, but I do feel that the state of Tennessee needs to take domestic situations more seriously than it has been known to do.
Heather was a victim, and while it's not entirely stated for a fact that she was abused, I wouldn't be surprised if she was. (Why else would she get the restraining order? Why else keep the children out of his life?) She was victimized beyond leaving him -- subject to stalking and harassment among other emotional disturbances. How many women do you know who live in these situations, with husbands who subject them to fear, estranged lovers who just won't stop stalking them?
Heather's story is heartbreaking, but at the same time it should serve as a warning to others who might be too afraid to pursue a restraining order, or to those who might feel that their situations aren't that serious and that "it could never happen to them."
It most certainly can happen to anyone.
