“These stats I’m going to share with you are quite alarming and sobering,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said during a briefing about the latest fatal domestic violence case in the county.
In Florida during 2016, one in three women and one in four men were victims of domestic violence; 15 percent of all the violent crime was domestically related; and 72 percent of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner.
“Sadly, the ones who profess their love the most are the ones who might kill you,” Mascara said while addressing the latest fatal case that occurred the Sunday before Christmas, around 6:30 p.m. in Spanish Lakes. Two were killed and the suspect attempted to kill himself. He later succumbed to his injuries while in the hospital.
It was the seventh such case for the county in 2018, the sheriff said. In 2016 – the latest for statistics – there were 105,000 domestic violence-related crimes throughout Florida, resulting in 63,000 arrests.
It’s common for victims not to pursue charges against their attacker, according to Det. Paul Taylor, who handles all domestic violence-related calls for the Sheriff’s Office.
“Unfortunately, that happens a lot,” Det. Taylor said of victims who decide not to cooperate with law enforcement. He said it usually takes 11 attacks or incidents before the victim finally makes the decision to leave.
And the moment when that decision is made is when the victim is the most vulnerable, when most fatalities occur, according to Michelle Akins. She is a director at Safe-Space, the only certified domestic violence shelter serving the Treasure Coast.
In 2018, SafeSpace received 2,000 calls to its hotline. The facility itself accommodates 60 individuals.
The organization recently rolled out a legal initiative, partnering with lawyers around the Treasure Coast to help domestic violence victims navigate the process of leaving the toxic relationship.
“Filing an injunction can be one of the most lethal times for any victim,” Akins said.
That’s what sparked the fatal outcome in Spanish Lakes, authorities believe.
Renee Holland had packed her bags and was about to walk out the door when an altercation began with her husband, Mark Holland. During the altercation, Mark Holland shot and killed Renee’s 84-year-old father, who was lying in bed. He then turned the gun on Renee, and ultimately on himself.
Neighbors called authorities, reporting the sounds of gunshots. When authorities arrived, they found Renee and her father, Rudolph Rehm, dead, and Holland severely wounded.
Investigators learned from neighbors that this was not the first time they had heard yelling come from the home on Grand Camino Court. Rehm and the Hollands were fairly new residents in the community, having moved into a newly built home a few months ago, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Mascara said it is important for those who believe something is amiss to step up.
“If you know someone who is going through a difficult time – be it domestic violence, depression or something else,” he said, “be an advocate for them and get help before something like this tragedy occurs.”
He also said that residents should never hesitate to call and report anything that causes them concern.
Like the Sheriff’s Office policy – if you see something, say something – Mascara said the same applies to hearing something.
“It is no bother” to have authorities respond. “It’s our job. It’s what we’re paid to do.”
Who to call:
- Local law enforcement: 911.
- SafeSpace:1-800-500-1119 or 772-288-7023.
- Referral for mental health and other social services: 211.
