Friend of woman killed in Lee County shooting advocates for domestic violence registry

LEE COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — It was an emotional pill to swallow that altered Taylor Bradley’s day.

“Becomes a social worker for the state, advocating to help people—just crazy,” she said.

Bradley said she had known 28-year-old Hayley Davidson since childhood; they went to school together in Breathitt County. Davidson was reportedly shot and killed by 48-year-old Bearl D. Ashcraft Jr. on July 16, who then supposedly took his own life. The two were in a romantic relationship.

“He was a deputy; who was she supposed to call for help? When things go sideways, you call 911. He was 911,” Bradley continued.

Hearing that Davidson is gone and her three young children are now without a mother sets off a fire inside Bradley. She said it hurts more to hear that her friend was in the middle of trying to leave the relationship.

“I found out today from the estranged husband she was found with her 16-month-old baby, holding that baby, that sad, that’s terrible,” Bradley said.

Bradley said she spent years in an abusive relationship and still feels the trauma.

She hopes Davidson’s death, her experiences, and those of thousands of others can be enough to put a bill for a domestic violence registry list in front of state lawmakers.

This would make it easier to learn about someone’s domestic violence history.

“You could get on there and search a name and see, like, ‘Oh, okay, well, he’s been convicted of domestic violence; I probably shouldn’t take that road,'” Bradley said.

A petition has been started to introduce a bill and has already gained thousands of signatures.

“What is the worst thing that the state of Kentucky can tell me? No? Well, we’re no better off, but what if they say yes?” Bradley said.

She said she has received dozens of calls and messages from victims, survivors, and even lawmakers in support, and hopes this tragedy can lead to change in Kentucky.