28th Annual Silent Witness Ceremony honors 46 victims of domestic violence

SC reported a total of 46 homicides due to domestic violence last year -- 35 women and 11 men.

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The Attorney General’s Office held its 28th Annual Silent Witness Ceremony at the Statehouse on Tuesday morning, honoring the women and men across SC who lost their lives to domestic violence in 2024.

SC reported a total of 46 homicides due to domestic violence last year — 35 women and 11 men.

“We all have a right to feel secure in the place we live. No one deserves to be abused and mistreated by those they love. No one should have to tolerate verbal and physical abuse, day after day,” says a speaker at the event.

Each person murdered by their partner was represented by a wooden silhouette — the figures spanning across the Statehouse steps.

“Many times we get lost in the goodness of a romantic relationship, and we overlook the negative. Love is not easy, and yes its normal to feel negative emotions. But there is a limit. I just want to tell every woman and man that is in an abusive relationship to please stay alert and do not ignore the signs,” says podcaster Niwdayra Tapia.

Domestic violence is a nationwide crime — effecting over 12 million people each year.

“Since 1996, the National Domestic Hotline has received over seven million calls, chats and texts, from people impacted by domestic violence,” says SC Attorney General Alan Wilson.

The White family lost their 31-year-old sister and daughter Chandreka to domestic violence last year.

“I think it helps just to remind us we’re not alone in this fight. The journey of grief can feel very alone and very taxing and feel like you don’t have anybody else, but when you know there are other people who have gone through very similar things, you know that there is a way, and that there’s something there — there are people who understand,” says Tatyana White, Chandreka’s sister.

Chandreka, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was murdered by her husband Jerrod Graham – who was later charged with killing both her and her unborn daughter whom she was going to name Teagan.

Now the White family raises Chandreka’s son, Kian.

“If you know something that’s going on with your friends, say something. Don’t think you’re keeping a secret as a friend. If you see something, say something,” says Harold White, Chandreka’s father.

Over half of victims represented at “Silent Witness” leave children behind — and according to a study by the Violence Policy Center, South Carolina ranks the 6th highest in the nation for the rate of women killed by men.