Tarrant County Intimate Partner Deaths Reach 13 in 2025

Thirteen people in Tarrant County died from intimate partner violence in 2025, according to a report released this month. This marks the second consecutive year of rising deaths in the region. The figure is two higher than the 11 recorded in 2024 and more than double the count from the 2023 review.

The Tarrant County Intimate Partner Violence Adult Fatality Review Team released the data in October, which aligns with the national Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The group includes local police departments, the county district attorney’s office, and nonprofit partners such as The Archway. The team’s stated purpose is to identify gaps in system responses and improve collaboration among agencies to reduce preventable deaths.

Kathryn Jacob, president and CEO of The Archway, described the current situation as an “elephant in the room.” She said the organization’s goal is to achieve a 12-month period with zero intimate partner homicides, but noted the community is moving away from that target. Jacob emphasized that the responsibility for the increase in deaths rests with domestic violence offenders.

Assistant district attorney Allenna Bangs explained that the review allows leaders in the domestic violence prevention space to connect more openly. She noted that while the criminal justice system is often reactive, the review helps identify service gaps to prevent future homicides. Bangs said the team aims to fill holes in community services so situations do not result in death.

The report highlights specific trends in the 2025 cases. Seven of the offenders had previous criminal charges for intimate partner violence. Additionally, 17 child dependents lost one or both parents. The review identified a more direct connection between stalking and intimate partner homicides. Strangulation cases continued to serve as a consistent indicator of potential homicide.

Bangs said these patterns allow the district attorney’s office to flag situations early. She explained that the presence of stalking may lead the court to impose more strenuous bond conditions or return offenders to custody if they violate existing orders. The district attorney’s office uses these data points to adjust legal responses.

Jacob noted that none of the 13 victims had filed a protection order or contacted The Archway before their deaths. She pointed out that in many previous years, homicide victims had never gone to a shelter. Jacob said that awareness of existing resources can save lives, but lack of knowledge can have fatal consequences. Jacob is also part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force, which identified strangulation, stalking, firearm access, and pregnancy as precursors to domestic violence homicides.