Friends and family gather for a vigil in memory of the pregnant teenager who died in a domestic violence incident

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Brooke Devinney was killed Sunday morning in a domestic violence incident in southwest Columbus. The 19-year-old was pregnant at the time of the attack and her unborn child also did not survive.

“This shouldn’t have happened, we shouldn’t have to go through this. We shouldn’t be here,” said Billie Devinney, Brooke’s mother.

Billie is mourning the loss of her daughter, who she says was killed by a repeat domestic violence offender in an incident Sunday morning.

RELATED: Police: 19-year-old pregnant woman dead after domestic violence in southwest Columbus

“Domestic violence is not something parents should ever have to go through,” Billie said.

The eyes of family and friends, colleagues, former classmates and even former teachers filled with tears as they shared their fondest stories and memories of Brooke on Wednesday.

“She was more than a classmate, she was like a little sister,” said one of her friends.

“I’ve never felt that kind of love before, but in the short time I knew her, she just lit up every room she walked into,” said a former colleague.

“She was the nicest person I ever met,” said another friend.

“Brooke is very loved and so is her little boy in heaven,” said a former classmate and friend.

Billie made it clear that more needs to be done to keep repeat offenders behind bars and help victims.

“They have to stop turning these guys out… If the system can’t fight for these women, what do they have? Who’s going to be there for them?” Billie said.

RELATED: $11 million bail set for man accused of killing pregnant wife in domestic violence case

Devinney’s death is the fifth domestic violence death in Columbus in 2024, according to Columbus police. There have been more than 3,000 reports of domestic violence in the city since January.

If you or someone you know needs help getting out of an abusive situation, call the toll-free National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the LSS CHOICES 24/7 hotline at 614-224-4663.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Columbus Police Detective Jude at (614) 654-4503, Homicide at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).