10/18/2026
When Demi’s life was tragically and senselessly taken, we were left with an unimaginable amount of trauma and grief. We didn’t know how to process it all or where to begin.
By the grace of God, a colleague brought us a newspaper article highlighting the work being done in honor of Lindsay Ann Burke, a beautiful young woman from Rhode Island whose life was also taken by an abusive partner. Lindsay’s story (http://www.labmf.org/ ) became a source of inspiration for us and helped ignite our passion to advocate for education reform in Pennsylvania.
Our legislative journey was filled with both heartbreak and hope, ultimately leading to the passage of Act 104, an omnibus bill that included a recommendation for education on dating violence. While this was a step forward, our goal had been to secure a mandate. We knew then, as we know now, that our young people deserve more.
Over the years, we have been encouraged by the number of school educators and administrators who recognize the need for this education and have welcomed us into their schools to share Demi’s message. Their willingness to open their doors and give our advocacy a voice among their students means more to us than words can express.
We are especially grateful to individuals like Michelle Walters, Title IX Coordinator at Seton Hill University, who have helped make these opportunities possible. We are deeply thankful for the access she has given us to students, and we never take that trust or responsibility lightly. It was truly an honor to return to Seton Hill University and continue sharing Demi’s story.
Our journey began in unimaginable grief, but through faith and a deep sense of purpose, that grief has become a mission to raise awareness, educate our youth, and help protect others.
We have always said, if one life is saved as a result of our advocacy, every effort is worth it. That one life could have been Demi’s.
