The recent string of homicide cases across the United States paints a troubling picture of violence, loss, and unresolved grief. Among the most poignant stories is the sentencing of former University of California, Berkeley employee Sweven Waterman for the murder of Curtis Marsh, a beloved member of the Oakland LGBTQ community.
On January 31, 2025, Waterman, 40, received an 11-year sentence after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The case surrounding Marsh, who also performed as the drag artist Touri Monroe, remains filled with unanswered questions. Marsh, 53, was not only known for his vibrant performances but also for his kindness and community involvement, leaving behind family and friends who mourned his loss deeply.
“He was my nephew, which you have taken away from me,” said Regina Brown, Marsh's aunt, during the sentencing hearing. His mother, Jacquelyn Kersh, added, “Not only did you take my oldest son, you took someone who will be remembered as a caring, loving and giving person... He will be greatly missed by many, but not forgotten.” These heartfelt statements remind us of the personal tragedies behind such violent acts.
The circumstances of Marsh's death are particularly harrowing. On the morning of March 4, 2023, police arrived at Marsh's apartment after reports of domestic disturbance. They found Marsh's body on the balcony, bearing stab wounds and surrounded by evidence of violence, including the weapon itself. Although Waterman claimed his innocence at the preliminary hearing, DNA evidence linked him to the murder, leading to the plea deal to avoid trial.
Across the country, another tragedy unfolded as Newark authorities reported the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old boy on the very same day Waterman was sentenced. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m., just blocks away from where a 36-year-old man was found wounded by gunfire. According to Carmen Martin of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the relationship between the two victims remains unclear, as does the motive behind the shootings. Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, has faced persistent struggles with crime, but recent statistics indicated a decline in homicides by over 20 percent last year, albeit with rising overall violent crime rates.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two men found dead inside a home, suspected of being involved in a murder-suicide. The tragedy was discovered on January 29, when deputies were called to examine the scene where 33-year-old Jesse Singh Janda lay dead with a handgun still grasped beneath his body, beside another victim identified as Matthew Clifton, 32. The sheriff’s office stated, “Detectives believe this was a murder-suicide at Janda’s hand,” shedding light on yet another troubling case of intimate partner violence and its lethal outcomes.
Back on the East Coast, yet another fatal incident has shocked the community. Tyler Holman, 39, is accused of murdering his longtime girlfriend, Ashley J. Gandolfi, before crashing the car with her body inside. Holman, charged with second-degree murder and other related offenses, appeared before the Marion County Circuit Court, where family members voiced concerns for their lives, fearing retribution if Holman were released.
“He has military training and is able to do” significant harm, said Gandolfi's mother, emphasizing the family’s fear for the safety of their 7-year-old granddaughter. Judge Matthew Tracey ordered Holman to remain incarcerated without bail, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations against him and the clear danger he presumably poses.
These recent homicide cases reflect underlying issues of domestic violence, community safety, and the complex emotions tied to loss. They raise pressing questions about the systems meant to protect individuals from violence and the effectiveness of laws and resources available for victims and their families. History suggests these acts of violence are not isolated incidents but part of larger societal patterns requiring sustained attention and action.
From Oakland to Newark to Sacramento and Salem, the stories remind us of the fragility of life and the far-reaching impact of crime on families and communities. To truly address the epidemic of homicide and violence, society must confront not only the immediate acts but also the cultural and systemic factors contributing to these tragedies.