UPDATED: Friday, October 10, 2008 --- 8:30 p.m.
REPORTER: Chris Woodard
Days after her violent murder, friends and family of a domestic violence victim are gathering to make sure no one forgets.
They're hoping attention to the problems will help to keep others safe.
It is an emotional ceremony marked by tears and condolences, but a ceremony all involved know they must bare.
Graciela Laguna with Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence says, "Viviana could be your sister, your mother, your friend, your neighbor."
Viviana is 33 year old Viviana Tellez-Giron who police say was beaten to death by her husband last Sunday. They say after the beating he hanged himself.
Friend Cecilia Gillhouse says, "It's very difficult for us and it's a hard time for all of us."
At a vigil in her honor there were no pictures, only a t-shirt Viviana made with a simple message. Abuse is not love. Hits are not kisses. The sad irony is that she was an advocate against domestic violence. Her coworkers and friends gathered to remember her passion for fighting the violence that ultimately killed her.
Gillhouse says, "She was full of energy with a whole bunch of plans for her future. She was planning to start a new life."
For some, the words just wouldn't come. But in her death friends and family members hope her story helps others.
Laguna says, "We all need to be accountable and we all need to work against domestic violence."
It is a violence they will continue to fight, even without one of their strongest members.
The vigil was put on by Unidos Against Domestic Violence who say in the last two years Wisconsin has lost 67 people to domestic violence murders.
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UPDATED Monday, October 6, 2008 --- 10:30 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) --- A couple active in Madison's Latino community died in what authorities call an apparent murder-suicide.
Found dead by family members Saturday night were 33-year-old Viviana Tellez-Giron, who was a longtime volunteer with a group that works to help victims of domestic violence, and her estranged husband, 66-year-old Salvador Tellez-Giron.
Police said Viviana Tellez-Giron died of blunt-force injuries at her husband's condo, and Salvador Tellez-Giron hanged himself.
Peter Munoz of the group Centro Hispano said the deaths came as a shock because "the family has been very involved doing very positive work always in the community."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
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UPDATED Monday, October 6, 2008 --- 9:10 a.m.
The male has been identified as:
Salvador Tellez-Giron, age 66 of Madison
The female has been identified as:
Viviana Tellez-Giron, age 33 of Fitchburg
The incident was a result of domestic violence. Preliminary autopsies indicate that the male died from a self-inflicted hanging. The female died from multiple blunt-force injuries.
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UPDATE: Sunday, October 5, 2008 --- 4:35 p.m.
Residents of a West side condominium complex react to the news that two people were found dead in their neighborhood.
Shirley Terre says, " I'm surprised I really am. I mean you see once and while a call for here and there...that's pretty violent. "
Penny Martin, " My skin is crawling and my hair is standing up on the back of my neck. I'm frightened. That's very scary and I know that things happen all over the city. Just we're not an exclusive group over here. It's been so quiet it's worrisome. It's bothersome."
UPDATE: Sunday, October 5, 2008 --- 2:30 p.m.
Preliminary indications are that the man and woman found dead inside a West Madison home appear to be victims of a domestic homicide/suicide.
The two parties involved are well known to one-another and there does not appear to be a danger to the general public.
The incident remains under investigation and names are being withheld pending notification of family members.
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Posted Sunday, October 5, 2008 --- 8:50 a.m.
Incident Report from the Madison Police Department:
MPD is conducting a death investigation in the 700 block of Kottke Drive.
A man and a woman have been found deceased in a residence.
The investigation initially indicates that there is no danger to the general public.
The incident remains under investigation.