I would like to express my utter disbelief that a victim’s tragic loss of a loved one to domestic violence, in the midst of their shock and grief, could be so cruelly misconstrued as “news.”

Recently, some close friends of mine lost their son to a senseless murder, and not less than 24 hours after they learned of their loss, there were reporters trying to invade their privacy. These “sensation seeking vultures” were asked very clearly to leave and not only did they not leave, they stood in the middle of the road trying to take pictures of the victim’s mother’s home and family. That was not news, it was a day when their entire lives were swept out from under them, it was a day when you ask yourself when did the value of a life fall short of a broken heart?

My friend never hurt anyone, he was kind and he was always smiling. For those of you out there who are wondering what he did to deserve this, I will tell you. He worked hard to feed and clothe a family that wasn’t his, he took in children that were not his and gave them love and a warm home. For love is the greatest gift you could give someone and he knew that. Why is it so hard to believe that his only mistake was caring for a woman who would eventually end his life? Why must people think he had done something to deserve to die so young? Domestic violence is a two-way road of evil, and the sooner people realize this the more prepared you’ll be when it happens to you, as I am sure you are thinking it never will.

My friend had love in his life, his mother’s love, his grandmother’s love and his brother’s love, and many friends who loved him. So I ask of all of you who read this, to stand up for all those families who have lost a loved one to violence, and for my friend’s family. Please reconsider what is news, what is right and what you are going to do about it. Nicole Geel Steuben