Father Recalls Troubling Signs That Led To Daughter's Death At Hands Of Husband
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - The father of a domestic abuse victim is speaking out -- during this Domestic Violence Awareness month.
David Herrington of Mt. Clemens and his wife are taking care of his daughter's three young children after the 43-year-old was shot and killed by her husband, who then killed himself reports WWJ's Zahra Huber.
It happened about three years ago in Lapeer County. Herrington says Lara and Marcel Stutz were happily married at first -- but as time went on, he became verbally abusive.
"He was manipulative, demanding, he was all about 'me,' 'I'm number one' stuff, and about a year or so before this incident happened, my daughter and him had kind of a wrestling match - he wanted to get the phone away from her," said Herrington.
Marcel was arrested after that incident and had to attend anger management classes and go to AA meetings.
But Herrington says things just got worse from there.
In December of 2011, Michigan State Police responded to a domestic violence call, discovering two people dead and a young boy wounded.
When police arrived at that scene that night at the house on Palmer Street in Imlay City, officers could hear gunshots.
Once inside, they found Lara Stutz, 43, and her husband, Marcel Stutz, 42, both fatally shot.
The couple's three children were found inside an upstairs bathroom. One of them, a 9-year-old boy, had been shot in the leg.
Herrington's message to domestic abuse victims -- seek help immediately.
If you or someone you know needs information about domestic abuse - click on [HERE].
You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233.
