The Mattoon Police Department confirmed the identities of the two people involved in a murder-suicide on Nov. 10, said Mattoon Police Chief Sam Gaines. 

Davontye Browder, 37, murdered Keisha Seeley, 34, before killing himself at 817 N. 34th St. at 9:15 a.m. with one gunshot wound to the head each, according to Gaines and Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers. 

They were discovered by their 17-year-old daughter. Their 11-year-old daughter then ran across the street to neighbor Alexis Ramirez’s house where the call to police was made, according to Ramirez. 

Neighbors and family members noted how well-regarded Seeley was within the neighborhood. 

One story told by Seeley’s sisters Tina Thompson and Tasha Weber recalled how Seeley would take kids in the neighborhood to a nearby stream and collect rocks to use in Seeley’s home landscaping. 

“She just wanted peace,” said Thompson. 

Gaines also noted that the relationship between Browder and Seeley did have a previous record of a domestic dispute. 

Another altercation between the two resulted in Browder throwing Seeley’s belongings out of the house, tearing up some items and leaving 11 trash bags in the yard, the sisters said. 

According to the sisters, the Mattoon police did not much help Seeley following the event.  

“The police need to take domestic violence seriously,” said Weber. 

This homicide is the first in Mattoon since August 2019 when Joseph McFarland, 37, shot and killed his wife Rachel McFarland, 36, over marital issues, according to WCIA’s article. 

An estimated 10 murder-suicides occur each week with nearly 1,200 Americans dying annually as a result, according to the Violence Policy Center. 

The VPC also states that in the first half of 2021, there were 588 murder-suicide deaths with 258 of the suicides being 91% male and 5% being female. Of the 330 homicides, 69% of victims were female with 27% being male. 

Common signs of domestic violence, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, include demeaning behavior, pressuring to use drugs or have sex, destroying personal items or threatening with weapons. 

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, the NDVH can be reached at 800-799-7233. 

HOPE of East Central Illinois is also located in Charleston and offers housing, outreach, prevention and education regarding domestic violence to “empower persons to live independent, non-violent lives,” according to its mission statement. 

Those seeking HOPE’s services can visit its business office at 1927 18th St. in Charleston from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The location of HOPE’s shelter is kept confidential. 

HOPE can be reached at any time via phone at 888-345-3990. 

Luke Brewer can be reached at 581-2812 or at lsbrewer@eiu.edu.