Domestic violence victims remembered at annual event

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate a domestic violence incident from Tuesday night. A woman was shot and killed in the city’s west side after an argument.

This latest domestic violence incident comes as families of victims and survivors came together to bring awareness to the issue.

“We’re here because Amber is not,” said Starla Hart, whose daughter, Amber Morgan, was killed in 2024. “We owe it to her and her legacy to be a voice for those are voiceless and bring awareness to this serious issue.”

26-year-old Amber Morgan was killed in June of 2024 by her husband. Her name was among the 12 victims of domestic violence and three unborn children who were killed over the last year in Marion County.

They were honored at the annual Remembrance and Resilience event hosted by the Domestic Violence Prevention Network 

“Just to let people know you’re not grieving alone, we are all grieving together as a community for the loss of loved ones and we are stronger as a community,” said Olivia Cosgray of the Domestic Violence Prevention Network. So we can grieve as a community but also be resilient as a community.”

This event came less than 24 hours after the city’s most recent domestic-related homicide. 26-year-old Ashley Sanders was killed in this house on West 34th Street on Tuesday night. 38-year-old Steven Baker, Jr. was arrested. Charges have not yet been filed.

“More children will not have a mother, will not have their daughter, will not have their sister, their best friend,” said Danyette Smith, the director of the Office of Domestic Violence Prevention for the city of Indianapolis. “The community as a whole the family we all take a loss.” 

As survivors and family members came together to remember their loved ones, they say these events help them move forward while never forgetting the past. 

“It brings purpose,” said Corey Morgan, Amber’s father. “To experience something so traumatic, it helps us to reconcile what happened, but also to be around others to help others to try to move forward.”