Dishaye Stevenson, a resident of Dallas, Texas, was known for her vibrant spirit, which drew people to her, but her life was cut short on Oct 25.
In addition to caring for her 16-year-old daughter, she served as the primary caregiver for her partially paralyzed mother. Despite a tumultuous relationship, Stevenson did her utmost to support her husband.
Jasmine Stevenson, Dishaye’s sister, shared that Dishaye made great efforts to show her love for her husband, even in the face of their challenging relationship. Jasmine described her sister’s husband as “sweet” in their presence, but behind closed doors, the situation was different.
The family observed warning signs that indicated trouble in the marriage, but the full extent of the problems only became clear when it was too late. Jasmine Stevenson noted, “It was a lot of red flags.”
Tragically, on the morning of Oct. 25, 2023, Dishaye Stevenson’s life came to a horrifying end when her body was discovered on the side of a road. She had been shot at close range in the chest, as confirmed by law enforcement.
In connection with the shooting, Dishaye’s husband, Michael Smith, was arrested and charged with murder. The family, left in grief and shock, seeks answers to the tragic loss of their beloved Dishaye.
“Like I just don’t understand. I just wanna know why,” Jasmine Stevenson said. “Why would you take my sister from us? Like why?”
This devastating incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of domestic violence, which disproportionately affects the lives of black women in the United States.
The Guardian reports that four black women/girls are murdered every day in the United States. Apart from the fatalities, multiple scientific studies have concluded that black women endure higher rates of murder, rape, racism and domestic abuse.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or practicing self-harm, contact the the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time.
Online live chat is also available. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, for assistance, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
