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On May 12, a Texas elementary school principal, Erica Rene Allen, 35, was found dead in front of her League City home, the victim of an apparent murder-suicide.
According to The Galveston County Daily News, witnesses informed police that Erica’s husband, Nicholas Allen, 40, had shot her in the front yard before going back inside their home. Investigators found the husband dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers later discovered the deceased couple's two young children, ages seven and two, unharmed inside the home.
For 42 years, The Bridge Over Troubled Waters has provided emergency services to survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and sexual assault. The organization has two offices, one in Pasadena and one in Baytown and serves over 20,000 men, women and children every year. Houston Daily reached out to Olivia Rivers, executive director of the organization, to receive her input on the case and advice on how to combat domestic violence.
"We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic murder of Erica Allen and deeply saddened to know that the children were in the home at the time of her passing," Rivers told Houston Daily. "Researchers believe that more than 3.3 million children witness domestic violence every year and our hope is that those children and the family members impacted by Erica's passing will obtain the support they need in their journey towards healing."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels domestic violence as intimate partner violence (IPV), or physical violence, sexual violence, stalking or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. The CDC has declared IPV a public health problem affecting millions of Americans, with around 25% of women and 10% of men having experienced some form of IPV.
"Unfortunately, cases like this are too common," Rivers said. "The Texas Council on Family Violence's recent report revealed that 150 women were killed by their intimate partners in 2019, with 44 of those being a murder-suicide incidents. Sadly, those deaths resulted in 251 children losing one or both parents."
Rivers urged for survivors of domestic abuse to realize that they are not alone and reach out for help and support.
"If you are in an abusive relationship, we want you to know that you are not alone and that The Bridge is here to support you in your journey," Rivers told Houston Daily. "Do not be afraid to ask for help. We recognize there is no perfect advice or tips we can give, because every situation is sensitive and unique, and only you, the survivor, know best how to navigate your life."
Both Allens worked for Texas schools, with Erica Allen serving as the principal of Heights Elementary School in the Texas City Independent School District while Nicholas Allen was an assistant principal of Wells Middle School in the Spring Independent School District. Erica Allen had previously filed for divorce last July against her husband who filed a counter petition in the case in response.
"While our mission is to prevent domestic violence before lives are lost, we will honor Erica's memory and legacy by continuing to advocate for more legislative reform, increased funding for services, greater offender accountability and enhanced safety and protections for survivors," Rivers said.
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters can be contacted on its confidential, 24-hour hotline at (713) 473-2801.