With the recent murder of two SUNY Geneseo students, many are questioning if there were warning signs that were overlooked.
But the family of 21-year-old Kelsey Annese says, “There were no prior indications of violence toward her.”
Annese and a male acquaintance, 24-year-old Matt Hutchinson, were sleeping in a home on Wadsworth Avenue, just blocks from the SUNY Geneseo Campus, around 6 a.m. Sunday when they were stabbed to death by 24-year-old Colin Kingston. Kingston then took his own life.
Police believe Kingston was distraught over the breakup of a long-term relationship with Annese.
Chris Greiner gave a statement to 7 Eyewitness News about her niece, saying she “was the sweetest young lady you would ever want to meet.”
“She was a ray of sunshine. She was down to earth, hardworking, a good student and a ‘good girl,’” Greiner wrote.
She says Annese always had a smile on her face and never an unkind word for anyone. “Everyone that knew her loved her. The family is devastated by this tragedy and is trying to cope.”
7 Eyewitness News reporter Ed Reilly talked to organizations Tuesday that work with teens to educate them about the warning signs of breakup violence as well as organizations that help those who are struggling to cope with a recent breakup.
All too often, experts say a breakup that ends fatally is the result of an abusive ex-boyfriend or partner who has lost control and resorts to the attitude of "if I can't have her then nobody can," explained Mary Brennan-Taylor from the YWCA of Niagara.
"Whether you are breaking up with a young boyfriend, whether you are married and getting a divorce or separated - that is the most lethal time for anyone," added Susan LaRose, Niagara County Domestic Violence Coordinator for the Niagara County Sheriff's Office.
Breakup violence is such a concern that service providers, like the YWCA of Niagara, have teamed up with the sheriff's office and crisis services to offer special intervention programs in Niagara County schools.
"To help students identify healthy and unhealthy relationships. What to do if you see these types of warning signs in yourself, in your family members and others," explained Mary Brennan-Taylor.
Domestic violence experts emphasize there are people willing to help and give advice whenever there are questions or concerns involving a possible unhealthy or abusive relationship.
Crisis Services runs a hotline at 716-862-HELP (4357)
The YMCA of Niagara also has a hotline at 716-433-6716
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