Murder/Suicide: Man, Woman Found Dead Save Email Print

A | A | A

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.

________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________

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.

More Stories
Report: Man With Ties to Madison Killed in Mumbai

One Dead, Four Injured in Two-Car Crash

More Snow Predicted for Wednesday

Winter Storm: Update from the City of Madison

Winter Storm Warning: Report from Emergency Operations

Andy North: Clipping Cancer

Thanksgiving Weekend OWI Arrests

CrimeTracker 15: Two BB Gun Incidents: One Injured

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: peace Location: madison on Oct 14, 2008 at 03:18 PM
can you guys just let them be in peace????? i know his doaughter and that is true to what anonomous says he was not an abusive husband.. ever wonder what she really was like?

Posted by: Mickey on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Really, Anonomous? Communication is so lacking in that family that the grandchildren have to find out how they died through the media? I call BS on that. If they don't like reading the comments/articles then they don't have to read them.

Posted by: Anonomous Location: Madison on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:29 AM
He was not an abusive husband, so do not make assumptions like that. Please stop. His grandchildren are seeing these, and finding out how they died through the media.

Posted by: Sam Location: Blue Mounds on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:43 AM
These stories are so sad. My thoughts and prayers to her friends and family. The sad thing about this is domestic violence effects everyone from every income level. Thank goodness my husband is a sweet and loving man that in the 11 years we have been married has never even attempted to hit me. I wish every abuser, whether they are a man or woman, would be more like him.

AP Video