Lauren Peace

1 month ago | centrotampabay.com | Lauren Peace

Cuando una enfermera de Clearwater fue asesinada por su exnovio después de buscar ayuda repetidamente en la policía, el Tampa Bay Times se propuso entender qué salió mal. Lo que surgió fue un ejemplo de cómo el sistema de seguridad pública de Florida, plagado de protocolos vagos y capacitación insuficiente, puede fallar a las víctimas de violencia doméstica, incluso cuando los oficiales individuales están tratando de ayudar.

1 month ago | tampabay.com | Lauren Peace

When a Clearwater nurse was murdered by her ex-boyfriend after repeatedly seeking help from police, the Tampa Bay Times set out to understand what went wrong. What emerged was an example of how Florida’s public safety system — riddled with vague protocols and insufficient training — can fail victims of domestic violence, even when individual officers are trying to help. That’s especially true for victims of nonphysical violence, like stalking.

1 month ago | tampabay.com | Lauren Peace

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains graphic details of violence as well as explicit language. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-500-1119. Additional resources are at the bottom of this story. CLEARWATER — It was dark by the time Audrey Petersen got home, but a neighbor keeping watch said the coast looked clear. She disabled her security system and, pepper spray in hand, went to make herself a drink.

1 month ago | tampabay.com | Lauren Peace

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains graphic details of violence as well as explicit language. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-500-1119. Additional resources are at the bottom of this story. CLEARWATER — It was dark by the time Audrey Petersen got home, but a neighbor keeping watch said the coast looked clear. She disabled her security system and, pepper spray in hand, went to make herself a drink.

1 month ago | tampabay.com | Lauren Peace

Sorting through boxes of craft supplies and drawers of nail polish and cupboards full of too many first aid kits, Audrey Petersen’s daughters could feel their mom’s presence. They laughed sifting through her piles of self-help books and greeting cards for every occasion. They cried taking down the sticky notes she’d tacked on walls and cabinets, reminding her of birthdays and weddings she wouldn’t attend. Petersen died on Feb. 9, 2024, at the age of 61.