RIP Stacie – HWT Member Murdered by Boyfriend

Do you know Stacie DeSantis-Dorego from Johnston, Rhode Island?

She’s as cute as a button. Tiny (about 5’ tall), dark hair, beautiful skin, Italian descent, former business owner, aspiring writer, 39-year-old loving mother to Mackenzie, 14; Jake, 5; and Lily, 3 (whom she called “my baby”).

Stacie joined Here Women Talk October 2, 2011. We always ask new members to tell us something about themselves. This is what Stacie wrote:

I Write Short Stories and Quotes..My Outlook on Life’s obstacles and greatness..My children are my soul…

I am divorced and a former business owner…SalonEmbellish…

Dealing with my own personal pain, trying to see a light at the end of this struggle…

Since joining HWT, Stacie actively posted in forums, joined groups, and added more than a dozen blogs. To me, a common theme of sadness pervaded her posts. Stacie wrote about social injustice, bullying of kids, children who were victims of horrific crime, suicide, loss of friendships.

Occasionally her posts contained her own original inspirational ideas, as if she were trying to convince herself. Here’s one she titled “~Seize the Day~” (Stacie loved using the tilde ~ ):

~Seize the Day~

Instead Of Sitting Around Looking Down On Tomorrow,You Have to Let Your Feet Off The Ground…

The Time Is Now…Just Let It Go…

There Is A Whole World Out There, Waiting To Be Explored…

I Know What Is In You And It’s Out There…

Get Rid Of All Your Regrets, Even If It’s Just A Night…

How Are You Going To Walk Ahead  If  You  Keep Living Blind…

Every time You Look Back You Are Missing An Opportunity That Lies Ahead…

If It’s Good, It Is Wonderful…

If It’s Bad, It Is Experience…

The First Step Is The Hardest, You Can Make It. You Just Have To Go Ahead And Take It…

It’s Time For You To Seize The Day…

I knew Stacie was troubled. I knew she had problems. I knew she was suffering. But I’ll never know how bad it really was. None of us can ever know what her life was really like. And now we can never ask her because she’s gone. Sunday night she was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, the father of her two youngest children. The details of her murder are gruesome, so I won’t elaborate, but you can learn more here.

We can never know what goes on behind closed doors, what demons people face, and the hardships they endure. Clearly, Stacie was a victim of ongoing abuse. (If you’re a victim or know someone who is, I urge you to visit DocumentTheAbuse.com.) So let this be a reminder to all of us to open our hearts and minds, not be too quick to judge others, and offer a smile or friendly hello to everyone. Because you never know what hell they might be suffering.

And now I offer this video which seems appropriate given the few details I know about Stacie’s life. She felt moved by this video, writing, “Oh my, this video is unbelievable … I went threw more than one hanky…what a wonderful video…”

~~~Here’s to you, Stacie. May you rest in peace. I hope you have found the light you were looking for.~~~

Update: The Johnston Fire Department is collecting donations for Lily and Jake and has released this statement

Johnston Fire Department
c/o The Dorego Children
1520 Atwood Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919
401-351-1600

Call to Action: If you have been touched by abuse, click HERE. There is something empowering and healing about sharing your story. It helps others to share theirs.

A post with more details (click here) added by HereWomenTalk member Shirley Graham.

February 5: Family posted obituary.