LOWELL – In as many months, three young girls have died violent deaths at the hands of their alleged abusers. The deaths reflect a disturbing increase in the number and intensity of domestic violence cases in Greater Lowell.
Maria Crooker-Capone, the executive director for Alternative House, called the death of Ahliana Dickey a “horrific incident.” Alternative House supports survivors of domestic abuse and violence and raises public awareness of gender-based harm through public programming and services.
The 15-year-old was allegedly shot to death by her 21-year-old boyfriend June 14, just hours before her Lowell middle school graduation.
The nonprofit released a statement on Tuesday saying that Alternative House is committed to providing comprehensive services to those affected by domestic violence, including teen dating violence.
“This heartbreaking event underscores the critical issue of domestic and teen dating violence, problems that have devastating impacts on individuals and communities,” Crooker-Capone said. “As we process this tragedy, it is crucial to recognize that teen dating violence is a pervasive issue that requires immediate attention and action from all sectors of society.”
Dickey’s death follows April’s apparent murder-suicide in Lowell, with three dead, including a 7-year-old girl who attended Lowell Public Schools.
May was marked by the murder of a 16-year-old Acton girl shot to death by her stepfather in what authorities say was a murder-suicide.
On Monday, Trevor Bady, of Tewksbury, was arraigned in Lowell District Court on multiple charges for Dickey’s murder. He is scheduled for a July 31 probable cause hearing.
During the arraignment, Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Christopher Tarrant said family and friends interviewed during the investigation into Dickey’s death described Bady as being abusive to her, something she had confided to people about days before her death.
“Ahliana had informed others that Bady had been hitting her, giving her bruises and a bloody lip. Family members described seeing bruises on Ahliana’s legs, knees and arms as recently as June 13, 2024,” Tarrant told the court. “On June 12, 2024, Ahliana confided in one person that this defendant made statements such as ‘I am going to kill you. I am going to kill your grandma,’ and that he was going to shoot up her house, and that he threatened to kidnap her and shoot her.”
Crooker-Capone said educating young people about healthy relationships and the warning signs of abuse is a critical step in prevention.
“It is imperative that parents, educators, and peers recognize the signs of abusive relationships and know how to seek help,” Crooker-Capone said. “Teen dating violence is often underreported and misunderstood. It can include physical violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviors.”
Lowell Public Schools’ current health curriculum includes lessons on healthy relationships at all grade levels, said Jennifer Myers, a spokesperson for the district.
“As a public school district our charge is not only to prepare students academically, but also socially,” she said by email on Thursday. “We aim to provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to care for themselves and others as members of the community.”
The district works with Alternative House and Lowell’s Center for Hope and Healing, a nonprofit that provides support for survivors of sexual assault and their families, to bring age-appropriate awareness to students on issues of healthy relationships and domestic violence.
Healthy relationships are covered at the elementary level as part of the social emotional learning lesson using the Second Step curriculum. In middle school, the district uses the Michigan Model of healthy relationships interactive teaching and learning techniques, and at Lowell High School, domestic violence topics are covered in both the Health 1 and Health 2 classes, Myers said.
Yet, despite the seemingly wraparound advocacy and educational efforts, Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon said significant challenges remain in addressing domestic violence.
“Unfortunately, the team at Alternative House is busier than they ever have been,” Hudon said during his remarks in March at a White Ribbon Day event at City Hall. “Today and every day, let us remember that it is never OK to hit a partner or a family member. We are here to help and you are not alone. I am proud to wear a white ribbon today to help end domestic violence.”
In a December statement released following the arraignment of City Councilor Corey Robinson on two counts of domestic assault and battery on his Dracut girlfriend, in which Robinson is alleged to have hit, chased, strangled and pulled out the victim’s hair, Crooker-Capone called domestic violence a “public health crisis” that “cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.”
“Let us unite as a community to prioritize the well-being of survivors and collectively strive for a future free from all violence,” she said.