The bottom line is that we believe—in fact we know—that domestic violence homicides are predictable, and, therefore, are preventable.

This bold statement has driven much of JDI’s work over the past six years to address the ways that our systems, services, policies, and practices can help keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable.

For many years, JDI collected the names and accounts of victims of domestic violence homicide in Massachusetts.  In 2005 JDI embarked on what has become a central issue for the Coalition: the prevention of domestic violence homicides.

In collaboration with The Geiger Institute, we conducted an analysis of year-over-year IPH data, recommendations for improved data collection, and what the data tells us about prevention and intervention efforts statewide. We know that every life taken through an act of intimate partner homicide (IPH) is more than just another statistic—it is a profound tragedy that devastates families, shatters communities, and leaves behind urgent questions: What could have prevented this?  We also know that, by looking at the data, we can begin to understand which prevention and intervention efforts are the most effective. You can find the report here: 

• Not in Vain: Improving Data Collection in Massachusetts to Drive Systemic Change and Prevent Intimate Partner Homicides (PDF)

JDI identifies cases of domestic violence homicide in Massachusetts through a combination of media reports, alerts from our members, and notification by the district attorneys offices. 

JDI considers homicides to be domestic violence-related if any of the following conditions are present:

• The homicide victim and perpetrator were former spouses or intimate partners, adults or teens with a child in common, or adults or teens in a current or former dating relationship;
• The homicide victim was a bystander or intervened in an attempted domestic violence homicide and was killed (including friends, family members, new intimate partners, law enforcement officers or other professionals attempting to assist the victim of domestic violence, roommates and co-workers);
• The motive for the murder was reported to have included jealousy, in the context of an intimate partner or dating relationship;
• A relationship existed between the homicide perpetrator and adult or teen victim that could be defined as exhibiting a pattern of power and control (including family or household members and caregivers).

Massachusetts Domestic Violence Homicide

• Detailed List 2026: (PDF)
• Narratives 2026: (PDF)
• Detailed List 2025: (PDF)
• Narratives 2025: (PDF)
• Detailed List 2024: (PDF)
• Narratives 2024: (PDF)
• Detailed List 2023: (PDF)
• Narratives 2023: (PDF)
• Detailed List 2022: (PDF)
• Narratives 2022: (PDF)
• Detailed List 2021:  (PDF)
• Narratives 2021: (PDF)
• Detailed List 2020: (PDF)
• Narratives 2020: (PDF)