Family mourns slain Park Forest woman.
For 13 years, the family of Dana Hayes knew she suffered repeated physical abuse at the hands of her on-and-off boyfriend, Terrance Coulter.
But the topic was off limits with Dana, and the family felt helpless to intervene - even after Dana nearly died in a brutal knife attack in 2007.
A photograph of Dana Hayes at a high school dance sits on the table in the foreground as her sister, Angel Hayes, tells of the happier times the two shared in their Riverdale apartment. The body that was found in Thornton has been identified as Dana's.
"Abuse was always part of the relationship. I hated it, I hated him and I hated his family," said Angel Hayes, 39, who lived with Dana in a Riverdale apartment for two years until December, when Dana and her teen son moved to Park Forest.
"To keep the peace here, it was never brought up. Never. And if I said anything, she'd say, 'Back off, I'm a grown woman.' "
Now family members are reliving countless moments from Dana's past, second-guessing every word and deed that might have masked abuse and blaming themselves for failing to keep Dana safe. Numerous domestic assaults between the pair were not documented because Dana never wanted to include the police, Angel Hayes said.
more at link.
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/2125231,032810hayes.article
This is so sad. I hope Dana's family know they are not to blame. The
perp who murdered is to blame.
Dana's family and son are in my prayers.
RIP Dana
