Yvette Ellis, 28, of Lubbock, Texas, was shot and killed on January 5, 2017. Her partner, Juan Carlos Gallardo, was tried for her death. At trial Gallardo said the shooting was accidental and happened during a struggle over a gun, but the prosecution presented evidence of an ongoing pattern of domestic violence.

Co-workers and other witnesses testified that Ellis had told them about the abuse and showed injuries including fingernail imprints on her neck and a black eye. Witnesses also said Gallardo had pulled a gun on Ellis on multiple occasions, including once in her workplace parking lot. The jury rejected the accidental-shooting claim and found Gallardo guilty of murder.

In December 2019 Gallardo received a life sentence. Ellis’ children spoke at the sentencing about how their mother’s death affected them. Does anyone have information about Ellis’ life, her support network at the time, or details that could shed more light on what happened?