NCAVP mourns the intimate partner violence homicide of Ava Tucker in Henrico County, Virginia

November 1, 2016 - The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the intimate partner violence homicide of Ava Tucker, age 26, in Henrico County, Virginia which occurred on October 27th, 2016. According to local media reports, Ava's ex-girlfriend, Sheena Yolanda Wilson, age 33, confessed to her homicide and turned herself in to police. Ava's sister, Latesha Tucker, has spoken out, calling Ava a "beautiful person" and a "beautiful soul."

"The Virginia Anti-Violence Project (VAVP) was deeply saddened to hear about the homicide of Ava Tucker. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and community," said Stacie Vecchietti, Director of the Virginia Anti-Violence Project. "Often, patterns of abuse and violence that are felt in intimate relationships are so hard to name and talk about, particularly in the small, interconnected circles of our diverse LGBTQ family. VAVP is here to provide information, support, and advocacy to LGBTQ Virginians that are fearful and worried about what's going in their relationships."

"We are deeply saddened by the homicide of Ava Tucker, and send our condolences to her friends and loved ones," said Beverly Tillery, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "Abuse can occur at all stages of a relationship, even during a break up or once the relationship has ended. We need support systems and resources for LGBTQ people at every stage of their experiences with intimate partner violence."

NCAVP's report Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV Affected Communities in 2015, released in October 2016, documented thirteen IPV homicides in 2015. In 2015, people of color made up 10 (77%) of the 13 reports of LGBTQ and HIV-affected IPV homicides. Six of the homicide victims were transgender women, four were cisgender men, and three were cisgender women.

This is the eleventh intimate partner violence homicide that NCAVP has responded to in 2016. Along with Ava Tucker we have lost Bernardo Almonte (Bronx, NY), Frank Rogers (Los Angeles, CA), John W. Williams (Salt Lake City, UT), Louis Piper (Miami, FL), Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum (Los Angeles, CA), Christopher Hardy (Cleveland, OH), Toni Cox (Brooklyn, NY), Joshua Adam Sisson (San Diego, CA), Alphonzo Guinyard (Chicago, IL), and May Kieu (Glendale, AZ).

NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org.

If you are a member of the media, please contact:

Sue Yacka, New York City Anti-Violence Project: syacka@avp.org or 212-714-1184

NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.