Rita Joanne Lillard, 64, was shot and killed June 20, 2021, in Houston in an incident Houston police described as domestic violence. Her 39-year-old daughter, Virginia Jenni Lillard, was also killed at the same scene. According to police, Jenni’s boyfriend, 46-year-old Lewis Trinidad Nunez, had already killed Jenni when Rita and her husband, David Lillard, arrived after Jenni called 911 and her parents for help; upon seeing Rita, Nunez shot her. Nunez then fired on a Houston police officer who had just arrived before surrendering and being taken into custody.

Rita was raised in Hoisington, Kansas, trained as a registered nurse at Barton Community College, and later moved to Houston where she continued nursing and handled bookkeeping for her husband’s company. Her husband described Rita as his soulmate and spoke about the deep impact of the loss on their family.

No family testimony was required at the conclusion of the prosecution. Did anyone who knew Rita or Jenni notice warning signs or try to intervene before June 20, 2021?