On August 11, in Racine, Wisconsin, Cassandra Sims, a 29-year-old daycare owner, became the tragic victim of a murder-suicide.
Deandre Martin, 30, her boyfriend, was identified as the perpetrator who shot and killed Sims, subsequently taking his own life.
Previous instances of domestic violence in the relationship had been noted by Sims’ family. During the episode, Royal, Sims’ four-year-old son, was present in the house. The child approached a nearby neighbor for help.
Local media recorded statements from Royal’s father, Jerelle Williams, who emotionally noted the loss his son would feel, having lost his mother.
On August 16, a mere five days post the heart-wrenching event, Royal commemorated his fourth birthday, the first without his mom.
Pearlie Hallom, Sims’ mother, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her daughter’s burial. The platform paints Sims as a doting mother and valuable community member due to her role as a daycare owner. The profound gap created by her untimely departure, especially for her young son, is underscored on the page.
