The woman who was abducted and killed in a shooting last Thursday has been identified as a Chico State student.
This was confirmed in an email sent by university President Steve Perez on Friday who wrote:
“It’s with deep sadness I share the news that health services administration major Athena [Marie] Passidakis was killed Thursday in a shooting incident in Chico that police believe is connected to domestic violence.”
Passidakis, 21, was abducted and killed by Alvin Almontelasha Wilson, 25.
The investigation is still ongoing, but the Chico Police Department said the two were previously dating, making it a possible incident of intimate partner violence.
“When somebody is attempting to leave and takes actual steps to leave that alerts the abuser that they’re losing that power. A way to gain back power is to use threats of violence because that’s historically what’s worked before.”- Anastacia Snyder, Catalyst Domestic Violence Services executive director
Anastacia Snyder is the executive director of Catalyst Domestic Violence Services in Chico. While it isn’t clear what happened last week, Synder said two-thirds of murder-suicides are related to intimate-partner violence.
“When somebody is attempting to leave and takes actual steps to leave, that alerts the abuser that they're losing that power,” she said. “A way to gain back power is to use threats of violence because that's historically what's worked before.”
Catalyst’s 24/7 domestic abuse hotline: 800-895-8476
Snyder said it’s common to find a link between gun ownership and those who commit violence against partners.
“We know that guns just turn these incidents very deadly and so often fairly quickly,” she said. “Abusers have a history of using guns to threaten and control their partner, and those threats often lead to murder.”
Snyder brought up a recent study which found 85% of California men who self-reported committing intimate partner violence in the past year also currently own a gun.
Snyder said that signs of abuse can be shown through a wide array of behaviors. That includes both isolating and self-isolating from loved ones, extreme jealousy, phone tracking and explosive bursts of anger.
“We ask that you care for your friend or family member, and you be patient and understand, but also express your concern. Share that you are concerned that what you’re seeing is abusive.”- Anastacia Snyder, Catalyst Domestic Violence Services executive director
Catalyst runs a 24/7 hotline for residents in Butte and Glenn counties to get help with long-term solutions for domestic and intimate partner violence.
That hotline can be reached at 800-895-8476.
In an emergency, call 911.
If you see friends or family members in potentially abusive situations, Snyder said to believe them and be patient. She said oftentimes, people experiencing intimate partner violence might still be in love with their partner, which can make it difficult to leave.
“We ask that you care for your friend or family member, and you be patient and understand, but also express your concern. Share that you are concerned that what you're seeing is abusive,” Snyder said.
Snyder also said that you can call Catalyst’s hotline on behalf of others and refer them to their services.
Other resources from Catalyst for anyone who is experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence:
- Safe housing programs
- Drop-in services
- Accompaniment to a sexual assault forensic exam
- Therapy programs
- Legal advocacy
- Law enforcement advocacy
Also, find specific information made for children, immigrants and LGBTQ+ people.
Anthony Vasek contributed to this story.
