This post is not meant to create paranoia but to raise awareness. This is to shine light can better protect ourselves and the women around us. Some of the following content may be graphic.
FRIENDSHIP... a word synonymous with trust, loyalty, and support. Yet, the harsh reality is that for some women, this very trust can be tragically misplaced. This post sheds light on a danger often overlooked - women murdered by those they considered friends.
Statistics show that a significant portion of women are murdered by acquaintances or friends. These cases are particularly devastating because the victim lowers their guard, making them more vulnerable. The perpetrator, often someone the victim confides in, exploits this trust for personal gain or twisted gratification. The reasons behind these murders can vary. Jealousy, revenge, or financial gain can all be catalysts. Scenarios can include seemingly harmless situations escalating to violence, planned attacks by manipulative "friends," or even a friend turning on their companion during a seemingly safe and chill moment.
In recent news, we learned that Mahogany Jackson, a 20-year-old mother, was killed on Feb. 25th at an apartment in Birmingham, Alabama. The morning of, Mahogany texted her mother that she was being held hostage: "Send the police at apt 3 held hostage don't call." She was handcuffed, stripped, tortured, and forced to perform s*x acts on four men and four women before being executed by a gunshot wound to the back of the head...AND IT WAS RECORDED! Video footage (that I refuse to watch) also showed Jackson being stomped and spat on before getting dragged by her hair, naked toward a car's trunk. Her body was later dumped at an illegal dump site called "Dead Man's Road."
Respectfully, this took me back to the case of Shanquella Robinson, who was also killed by a group of friends and acquaintances in October 2022 on a trip in Cabo San Lucas. Another situation THAT WAS RECORDED showed Shanquella being naked, brutally beaten and defenseless by a woman who was a part of the group. She was found in stable condition but dehydrated, disorientated, verbally unresponsive, unable to communicate, and appearing to be intoxicated. Within a few hours of medical treatment, she passed away. An autopsy showed the cause of death being severe spinal cord injury and broken neck. After investigations made by the State Attorney General's Office of Baja California Sur and the FBU, authorities decided to not pursue criminal charges related to Shanquella's death. Even after Black Twitter broke the case down and made major developments, no criminal charges!
Ladies, we must protect ourselves. While it may seem impossible to eliminate all risk, here are some steps we can take. Trust Carefully: Don't rush into deep friendships. Observe a person's behavior over time. Boundaries Matter: Set and maintain healthy boundaries. Don't be afraid to say no and walk away from unhealthy dynamics. Listen to Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is. Don't ignore red flags. Tell Someone: If you go on a "friend" trip, let your loved ones or those you trust back home know your whereabouts, It is okay to even share your location with them. Safety Planning: If a friend becomes threatening, create a safety plan FOR YOURSELF.
The late Dallas, TX rapper MO3, has a famous lyric that unfortunately rings true: "Everybody ain't yo friend, Everybody ain't yo partna..."
A few resources:
- The National Center for Victims of Crime: National Center for Victims of Crime: https://victimsofcrime.org/
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
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