For Barbara Hawkins hearing the news of a possible husband murdering his wife is all too real, "I think you have to lose a child to know how devastating it really is."
Since Thursday Mercer County authorities have been searching for and investigating a husband, Tracey Atwell, who allegedly murdered his wife Christina Marie Atwell at their home in Rock.
"It just breaks my heart for these mothers," said Hawkins who knows first hand how crippling it can be to lose a child.
Twenty five years ago Hawkins' own daughter Pamela Lynne was shot and killed by her husband. Pamela was just 24 years old.
Hawkins admits it's been hard to know she has been dead then longer than she was alive, "It's something that you'll never get over."
Hawkins and her friends established Pam's Place in Pamela's honor 12 years ago. Pam's Place is a shelter for battered women and children.
At one time Pam's Place was a transitional living facility, but now it's just a shelter to get women back on their feet emotionally and physically.
Hawkins uses a thrift store known as Pam's Place on Mercer Street to help fund the programs and scholarships the foundation works to finance. The thrift store runs entirely on volunteers and 100 percent of the stores proceeds go to the foundation.
Hawkins advises those who are in a domestic violence situation to leave, but do so safely by letting family, friends or a trustworthy person know before escaping. She also tells victims to have items on hand before leaving such as cash, documents and records.
Representatives with Pam's Place can be reached by calling 304-888-8680.
Pam's Place is the only domestic violence shelter in Mercer County.
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