Domestic Violence-Related Homicides Rise 70% in North Carolina Since the Pandemic

A study released this week by the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) reveals a startling 70% increase in domestic violence-related homicides across the state since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Researchers analyzed statewide law-enforcement data from January 2020 through December 2024, finding that 112 domestic violence-related deaths occurred during that period—up from 66 in the four years prior.
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Locally, Wilmington and New Hanover County have seen a sharp uptick in fatal incidents: in 2024, there were 14 homicides linked to domestic disputes—nearly double the number recorded in 2019.
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Among these cases, one of the most high-profile was the April 2024 killing of Cynthia Allen, whose estranged partner, Darius Tyshaun Williams, had prior assault charges against her. Williams was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after Allen was found deceased in her apartment on Castle Street.
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Domestic violence advocates attribute part of this surge to extended lockdowns, financial stress, and reduced access to in-person support services during 2020–2021.
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According to Mandy Houvouras, an outreach coordinator with the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services of Wilmington, “Survivors lost essential lifelines—jobs, social circles, routine appointments—making it harder to escape abusive relationships.”
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The NCCADV study also highlights that in New Hanover County in 2024, 2,134 domestic abuse calls were logged by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office—an 18% increase over the previous year.
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Of those, nearly 40% involved some form of strangulation, a factor considered by law enforcement and the judiciary to be an indicator of increased lethality risk.
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In response to these trends, local policymakers have proposed several measures aimed at prevention and survivor support. On February 28, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners approved a $150,000 grant to expand the capacity of emergency shelters, add after-hours crisis counselors, and fund a countywide awareness campaign.
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Meanwhile, Family Court Judge J.H. Corpening announced new training requirements for magistrates, focusing on early identification of coercive control, stalking behaviors, and strangulation signs.
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Survivors and advocates urge anyone experiencing domestic violence to contact the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or reach out to local shelters for confidential support.
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New Hanover County’s Domestic Violence Shelter and Services operates with a toll-free crisis line—(888) 724-2258—providing safety planning, legal advocacy, and transitional housing to those in need.