Individuals named in Mattoon murder-suicide

November 18, 2024 106

MATTOON — The Mattoon Police Department has confirmed the identities of two individuals involved in a November 10 murder-suicide.

According to Police Chief Sam Gaines, 37-year-old Davontye Browder murdered 34-year-old Keisha Seeley before killing himself. The incident occurred at around 9:15 a.m. at 817 N. 34th Street. Gaines confirmed that both Browder and Seeley had a gunshot wound to the head. That analysis was also confirmed by Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers.

They were discovered by their 17-year-old daughter, while their 11-year-old daughter ran across the street to neighbor Alexis Ramirez to call 911.

Those close to Seeley note how well-regarded she was within the neighborhood, even including taking neighborhood kids to a nearby stream to collect rocks to use for her home landscaping projects.

Chief Gaines noted that the relationship between Browder and Seeley had a track record of domestic disputes. One of those disputes included Browder tossing Seeley’s belongings out of the house, tearing up items, and leaving 11 trash bags in the yard, according to statements.

Seeley’s sisters Tina Thompson and Tasha Weber feel that the Mattoon Police Department didn’t do much to help her after that particular incident.

“The police need to take domestic violence seriously,” said Weber.

Marks first homicide in Mattoon since 2019

The incident marks the first homicide in Mattoon since August 2019, where Joseph McFarland shot and killed his wife Rachel McFarland over marital issues.

According to estimates from the Violence Policy Center, ten murder-suicides occur each week, resulting in nearly 1,200 Americans dying each year as a result.

The VPC also states that in the first half of 2021, there were 588 murder-suicide deaths with 258 of the suicides being 91% male and 5% female. Of the 330 homicides, 69% of victims were female with 27% being male.

Common signs of domestic violence, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, include demeaning behavior, pressuring to use drugs or have sex, destroying personal items, or threatening with weapons.

Resources are available for those experiencing domestic violence, including the National Domestic Violence hotline (800) 799-7233, and for those in the Mattoon-Charleston area, HOPE of East Central Illinois, which offers housing, outreach, prevention, and education regarding domestic violence. HOPE can be reached by dropping by their office at 1927 18th Street in Charleston or by calling (888) 345-3990. For those elsewhere in Illinois, you can call or text the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at (877) 863-6338.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.