MANCHESTER, N.H.- The State’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee has completed its first report on what steps the state could take to prevent future deaths.
Back on October 1st the committee created by Gov. Kelly Ayotte released its first 32-page report which comes with 11 suggested way state officials can combat domestic violence.
Attorney General John Formella called domestic violence deaths “heinous and unthinkable.” and went on to say that according to the report, historically, more than 50% of all murders in the state are a result of domestic violence.
Out of the report the state issued the following suggestions:
1. Create an enhanced level of offense for subsequent domestic violence convictions.
2. Explore domestic violence compliance efforts within the court system.
3. Explore evidence-based risk assessment tools or guides to be used by judges in both civil and criminal cases.
4. Assess the disparities between counties for accountability for offenders, including but not limited to pre-trial and post-trial services.
5. Increase knowledge on domestic violence protective order violations and appropriate charges.
6. Train dispatchers and call takers on the dynamics of domestic violence.
7. Strengthen organizational responses to compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress among law enforcement and prosecution personnel.
8. Explore the creation of Domestic Violence High Risk Response Teams.
9. Promote system-based victim advocacy in criminal cases handled in Circuit Court.
10. Revive domestic violence coordinating councils.
11. Expand Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Teams to additional communities where appropriate.
The committee was assembled following the July 2025 murder of Marisol Fuentes, who was killed by her estranged husband Michael Gleason Jr.in Berlin. Gleason took his own life shortly after killing his wife.
