Families in Surprise and Avondale are mourning the loss of their 18-year-old daughters. Both victims of what is believed to be domestic abuse.
Makesia Sampson remembers her daughter Luzeia Mathis as fun, loving outgoing and caring.
According to police, the same man Mathis had an order of protection against, 28-year-old Jamal Lamar Jones, was indicted for murder and concealment of a body.
In Surprise, a different story with a similar ending as friends and family mourn the loss of 18-year-old Faith Villanueva.
She was found in a car with gunshot wounds after a witness told police they saw a man force a woman into a car at a nearby shopping center around Litchfield and Wadell Roads. Also, found in the car was Jafar Tigue, who reportedly was in a previous relationship with Villanueva.
"He had the mentality that if he couldn't have her then nobody could," said Villanueva's co-worker Melissa Rowe.
Resources like the Sojourner Center are a lifeline and a safe haven for women in need.
"Once we can tell them this is why you might be having these experiences, you're not going crazy and there's help here. There is support here and there are ways that we can provide additional services on-site and there is a path to recovery," said Sojourner Center Executive Director Carrie Borgen.
As for Sampson, she offers a mother's advice, "Young girls who are victims to any sort of domestic violence. Catch it early, tell somebody.... tell somebody. This kind of stuff is real when it happens."
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can call 1-844-SAFEDVS or 1-800-799-SAFE for help.
