Joyce Hoskins, 47, of Wilmington, North Carolina, was shot to death on December 4, 2005. Her husband, Gradie Lee Rhodes, 58, admitted to killing her; he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole. Rhodes was on parole at the time and had a prior murder conviction from 1989 for the killing of Avonna Terry, 21, who was the mother of his son. He had been released after serving 16 years of a possible 50-year sentence for that earlier murder.

Hoskins had twice attempted to obtain domestic violence protective orders against Rhodes, but both requests were dismissed after she failed to appear for hearings. On the day she was killed, Hoskins’ stepson called 911 reporting that Rhodes had killed her; detectives found evidence of the shooting and Rhodes later turned himself in. The case raises questions about parole oversight and the difficulties domestic violence victims can face in securing protection.

If anyone knew Joyce, her situation, or has information about the events leading up to December 4, 2005, please share what you know.