POSTED: Thursday, January 14, 2010 --- 8:30 p.m.
REPORTER: Chris Woodard

Right now hundreds of people are trying to turn one of Madison's most unthinkable killing sprees into a positive.

Friends and family of a murdered mother and daughter are gathering to do what they can to help others before tragedy strikes again.

Murder victim Tracy Judd's sister Lisa Blanchard says, "Tracy was very loving, caring. Deja was our little Christmas angel, just like her mom, very strong."

The loss is one friends and family are still having a tough time putting into words.

One month ago Tracy Judd and her daughter Deja were murdered by Tracy's boyfriend and Deja's father Tyrone Adair. They were found by police stuffed in the trunk of a car in Middleton.

Judd's friend Caroline Clanton says, "I mean I just started crying and shock, complete shock."

Deja and Tracy are two of four people Adair killed that day before turning the gun on himself.

But somehow that tragedy is leading to a celebration.

Tracy would have been 34 years old tonight and this is a celebration of her life and chance to give back.

Everything at the benefit, from the pictures on the television to the ice sculpture is about remembering Tracy and Deja and trying to make sure what happened to them doesn't happen to anyone else.

All money raised goes to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, or DAIS, a group family members say could have helped Tracy.

Blanchard says, "We want another safe house for them. We want to be able to help families, provide paid volunteers, paid support to answer the phones."

Blanchard says no one in the family had any idea Tracy was a victim of domestic violence until after her murder.

She says, "There are people out there that can help. It shouldn't be this silent."

With every dollar that comes in their memory lives on, both of them now helping others.

Benefit organizer Aaron Jai says, "I've actually heard stories already that three different women from three different relationships have left their abuser because of what we're doing and what happened to Tracy."

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UPDATED Thursday, January 14, 2010 --- 8:50 a.m.

From the family of Tracy Judd and Deja Renee:

The family of Tracy Judd and her daughter Deja Renee are hosting a benefit for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) on Thursday January 14, 2010 at SCATZ Nightclub.

Tragically they were both victims of domestic violence in the Madison area quadruple murder on December 3, 2009 . Our family, friends, and community have been dramatically affected by this tragedy and are looking to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse in our area.

We want to help educate people on domestic abuse and raise awareness for DAIS. Their mission is to empower those affected by Domestic Violence and advocate for social change through support, education and outreach.

Join us in honoring Tracy and Deja’s lives by making a difference in Dane County. There will be live entertainment by Natty Nation, Super Tuesday, Madison County, Mighty Short Bus, and DJ Double A of SCATZ.

Silent Auction and Raffles will be held to raise money for DAIS.

There will be a minimum donation at the door of $5.00. A VIP area with complimentary refreshments, beverages and desserts will be available for your $50+ donation.

Thank you for your efforts in making a difference. Please join us at the benefit on Thursday January 14, 2010 at SCATZ, from 4pm - 11pm.

Thank you for your support.

Family of Tracy Judd & Deja Renee

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UPDATED: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 --- 6:20 p.m.

Domestic violence murders are at a 10-year high in Wisconsin and the numbers may still climb.

The people there to help say the bad economy is at least partially to blame for the problem.

No one can say for sure why this problem is spiking but advocates have some pretty strong proof and families in our area are too often suffering tragic consequences.

It can happen anywhere at any time and in Wisconsin the tragedy is coming at a record pace.

Domestic violence murders are on the rise. Wisconsin's Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports at least 59 deaths in 2009, 23 more than 2008 and as more data comes in the number could rise.

Executive Director Patti Seger says, "Victims are less likely to be able to get out and live independently."

The coalition says part of the problem is the economy. Financial insecurity often prevents victims from leaving abusive homes.

The people there to help say they've never been this busy.

Seger says, "They were also experiencing far more extreme levels of brutality and higher levels of violence than any of them had ever seen before."

South Central Wisconsin has seen several high profile and tragic examples of the problem.

In April Kyle Hickey was accused of shooting and killing his ex girlfriend in front of her 5 year old child.

In May police say Francie Weber was shot dead by her ex-husband. He then killed himself.

In September Jeremy Leavy-Carter was taken into custody after his girlfriend was found dead.

Two day's after Thanksgiving police say Donte Beasley shot and tried to kill his girlfriend and two young children.

Most recently Tyrone Adair was accused of killing his girlfriend, ex-girlfriend and two young children he had with each before killing himself.

Seger says, "This is a dynamic that occurs between two people who are in a relationship but others are caught in the sweep."

This increase in domestic violence homicides is despite a trend both locally and nationally of violent crime going down in many areas.

The full Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report will be released later this year.

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Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2010 --- 10:25 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A domestic violence group says the number of domestic homicides in Wisconsin rose last year.

The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence says its preliminary figures show at least 46 domestic violence incidents resulting in 59 deaths in 2009. That's up from 36 deaths in 2008.

General crime statistics show a drop in violent crimes nationally, but domestic violence victim advocates say domestic abuse is different from other crimes. Police strategies to target gangs or concentrate on certain neighborhoods do little to prevent domestic violence.

The say the recession plays a role, too. Financial insecurity prevents victims from leaving abusive homes, allowing the violence to continue and escalate.

The coalition plans to release a final report on 2009 later this year.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.