DENVER — It was a death that shocked an entire community but now, nearly two weeks after a Limon man allegedly stabbed his estranged wife, that community is coming together to support the kids who were left behind.
Friends and family of Kirsten Russell gathered in Washington Park in Denver on Wednesday to remember a loving mother, raise awareness of domestic violence, and generate support for her children and grandchildren.
Balloons couldn’t lift the heavy hearts of those who gathered, but friends say they did symbolize Russell’s uplifting spirit.
“She was amazing. Amazingly creative, amazing generous,” Misty Krebs said. “Just an incredible mama, an incredible friend.”
Krebs said those same qualities made it hard to know that her friend was in danger.
“We loved the whole family and so it’s really kind of shaken everybody up,” Krebs said. “Nobody saw it coming.”
Russell’s sister said the mother of six and grandmother of three struggled in near silence with psychological abuse that began shortly after she was married 14 years ago.
Her sister said she did her best to get out of the situation, leaving three times, but five days after she most recently relocated with the family in Castle Rock, her estranged husband, Richard Lockett, allegedly broke in and stabbed her.
Lockett faces charges of first-degree murder as an act of domestic violence, second-degree kidnapping as an act of domestic violence, stalking as an act of domestic violence and first-degree burglary.
Family and friends are hoping to raise awareness about domestic violence, particularly psychological abuse.
“As mamas of little girls who are going to grow up and have boyfriends and husbands some day this is just an acknowledgement of the dangers that are out there,” Krebs said.
The Limon community is also coming together to support Russell’s children and grandchildren. Some of them were in the home during the attack and are now in the care of family.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $4,000 and on Aug. 22, Limon will host a poker run and garage sale.
“Raising as much money as we can for the kiddos,” Krebs said.
The FOX31 Denver Problem Solvers contributed a $250 gift card to help the kids with food and clothing on Wednesday.
“Thank you so much,” Krebs said during the presentation. “This will go a long ways to help.”