Our Condolences

If you are visiting this web site as the survivor of a homicide victim, please accept our condolences upon the death of your loved one. Coping with violent death is always difficult. It is a loss beyond comprehension or reason, and our hearts go out to you and your family.

You may be experiencing physical symptoms of pain such as tightness in the chest or throat, weakness in muscles, sighing, great sensitivity or crying endlessly. You may feel shock or numbness, sadness or anger, guilt, anxiety, fear, or helplessness. You may have sleep disturbances, absent-mindedness, social withdrawal, painful dreams, avoidance, or many other behavioral symptoms of grief. Denial, confusion, and hallucinations may make you feel that you are going crazy. Remember: You are a normal person having a normal response to a traumatic event. You will find a new “normal”. But, you have been "forever changed."

The Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence, Survivors of Homicide Victims' Program, is here to assist you and members of your family. Forever Changed is open to anyone enduring the loss of a loved one to murder, manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, act of war, or other violent death incident. There will be other survivors at the support group meetings to share your grief and pain as you walk this lonely road. Join hands with other survivors.

"Together we are stronger, together we are wiser, together we remember"

It would be an honor for us to hear about your challenges and adjustments to your tragic loss, and to talk about ways our agency might be able to assist you or your family. Should you decide to include us as part of your support system, all of our services are free of charge to you and your family. If you need us, or only want someone to talk with by phone, day or night, someone will be there. We have a 24 hour, 7 day a week, crisis line with a toll-free number available to you at 1-(800)-800-1396 or 228-435-1968.

Again, we offer our condolences in your sorrow.

Advocate, Survivors of Homicide Program,
Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence

Murder is a violent crime. As a survivor of a homicide victim, you may experience some confusing reactions. Remember that you are a normal person having a normal response to a traumatic event.

You may experience physical, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional symptoms during your period of grief; all of these are normal when dealing with the loss of a loved one.

You may even experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Fear of strangers
• Emotional withdrawal
• Eating and sleeping disturbances
• Constant intrusion of thoughts of the murder
• Case-related associations
• Irritability
• Angry outbursts
• Avoidance of reminders

Read more below about the phases of grief you may be experiencing.