TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – In the wake of tragedy, a family hopes their daughter’s story can help others who are in abusive relationships.
On Dec. 31, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit responded to a shooting.
“Initial information was that the injury might’ve been self-inflicted,” VCU said.
When VCU arrived, they found 34-year-old Brittany Bolden dead from a gunshot wound. They later arrested Lovelle Rodgers. Rodgers is charged with capital murder and is being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
Four children lost a mother. Cassandra Campbell lost a daughter, and Lauren Campbell lost a sister.
“I never expected it to be my family – I never expected it to be my sister,” Lauren said.
“I just don’t think Brittany thought it would go that far. Maybe none of us really thought that,” Cassandra said.
Her mother explained that there were times Bolden and Rodger’s relationship seemed unhealthy.
“If someone starts abusing you and starts hitting you, that’s not a good relationship,” Cassandra said. “If someone starts belittling you and calling you names – that’s not love.”
The day Bolden was killed, she and her mom were looking for her and the kids a new place to stay, but Cassandra explained that they didn’t want Rodgers to know.
“I think when he found out, he just flipped,” Cassandra said.
After looking at apartments with her daughter, Cassandra left the home. At the time - Bolden, two of her daughters and one of Rodgers' daughters was at the house. Cassandra did not think the worst would happen, given the children were there.
“But he proved us wrong,” Cassandra said.
VCU noted there have been other domestic issues in the past. If Rodgers would have removed himself from the situation, Lauren believes her sister could still be alive.
“Someone could have helped and saved her,” Lauren said.
Bolden and Lauren are the only children her mom had, and they are 11 months apart.
“It was just me and my sister, and she’s gone because of poor choices,” Lauren said.
While Bolden’s death happened unexpectedly and, in many ways, came as a shock, the mother and sister said that, at the same time, it wasn’t. However, it wasn’t the outcome they hoped for. Just as they wished Rodgers could have stepped away during moments of anger or frustration, they wish Bolden had the strength to leave before it was too late.
“I can’t help her, but maybe I can help other women out there that may be going through the same thing,” Cassandra said.
“Anyone that is battling any domestic violence, [or] silent cries, just please reach out,” Lauren said.
These are some domestic violence statistics according to Break the Cycle, a non-profit that educates people on domestic violence and provides resources to victims across the United States:
- Every minute, 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the U.S.
- Nearly 1 in 2 women in the U.S. will face physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their life.
- Nearly 1 in 4 men in the U.S. has endured severe physical violence from an intimate partner
- By 2019, nearly 4 women were murdered daily by intimate partners
- 75% of female homicide victims were killed by a spouse or ex-spouse
If you are a victim of domestic violence and live in Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo or Sumter County, you can reach out to the non-profit Turning Point.
Turning Point helps provide temporary housing, clothes, legal aid, counseling and other resources necessary to help victims and their children safely leave an abusive and potentially life-threatening relationship.
“I want justice to be served, and I do want him to understand the pain he has caused and all the things he has done to this family,” Lauren said.
The family is asking for prayers and help with burial expenses.
“We started a Go Fund Me because she didn’t have any life insurance, so we wanted to have a proper burial for her,” Lauren said.
Those wanting to help can donate here.