A cherished Wisconsin daycare owner is one of the latest to die at the hands of a partner in what police say was a murder-suicide that took place Aug. 11, according to several reports.
Cassandra Sims, 29, was brutally shot and killed by Deandre Martin, 30, who took his own life moments after killing the victim, according to a Fox6 report.
Police say Sims’ 4-year-old son, Royal, witnessed the murder-suicide, which took place in their Racine home. Following the shooting, he rushed to his neighbor’s home asking for help.
“She is going to be missed,” Royal’s father Jerelle Williams told Fox6. “He is definitely going to miss her.”
Royal’s birthday was on Aug. 16, four days after his mother was killed. According to his family, he dressed as a Ninja Turtle.
“I’m going to smile for him today,” Williams said.
Sims’ sister Tori Bender added that “We, even a week later – all we can do is get him through it.”
The victim’s mother, Pearlie Hallom, has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for the cost of her daughter’s funeral.
“Ms. Sims loved each and every one of her day care children. She help the community in ways that you couldn’t even imagine. Cassandra left behind a 3-year-old son that she loved dearly,” the page reads. “At this time we would ask for you guys to help us lay her to rest in the best way possible. She deserves it all. As many of you know I lost my daughter to domestic abuse this past week.”
It continues: “My beautiful daughter life was taken right in front of her son. Royal is in the loving care of me and Cassandra’s love ones. I’m asking for monetary gifts to help with Cassandra’s funeral cost. Royal’s birthday is this week and Cassandra Sims made sure to ALWAYS do it big for him!! Even if it’s $10 it will help. Please share this post also if you can.”
