Earlier this month, 18-year-old Kylee Monteiro went missing. She was 11 weeks pregnant. On August 19, her remains were discovered in Rehoboth. Police have charged her boyfriend, who just days before had been arraigned on charges including aggravated assault on a pregnant person and intimidation of a witness, with her murder. (Missing Rehoboth teen’s boyfriend confessed to killing, led police to body, DA says – masslive.com)
This is a tragedy that should shake all of us. It is also a reminder that domestic violence homicide is not inevitable, it is preventable.
Kylee’s case contained every warning sign. She was a teenager. She was pregnant. She had already reported feeling unsafe. She had even named her abuser. And her boyfriend had just been arraigned on charges including aggravated assault on a pregnant person and intimidation of a witness.
Research shows us what these risk factors mean. Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in the United States. Pregnant women are 35% more likely to be killed than their non-pregnant peers, nearly half by an intimate partner. Youth magnifies this danger and young adult survivors face elevated risks of coercion, isolation, and homicide.
Massachusetts law recognizes that some defendants pose a grave risk to others. Under Section 58A of Chapter 276, prosecutors can request a “dangerousness hearing” when charges indicate a likelihood of serious harm. If the court finds clear and convincing evidence that release would endanger an intimate partner or the community, the defendant can be held pretrial. This is not a hypothetical tool. It is a mechanism designed for exactly the kind of case Kylee’s represented.
The charges filed against her boyfriend on August 6 should have triggered a higher level of alarm. Assault on a pregnant survivor, coupled with intimidation of a witness, are among the clearest indicators of lethal risk. These were not “ordinary” assaults. They were bright red flags.
Kylee told people she didn’t feel safe. We must learn to listen to survivors when they tell us this. Their words are not exaggerations, and our instincts matter too.
If you’re worried about someone in your life:
- Say something. Try: “I’m worried about your safety. You don’t deserve this.”
- Offer resources. Share the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or The Second Step Intake Line, info@thesecondstep.org, 617-965-2538
- Trust survivors. If they say they’re unsafe, take it seriously.
- Trust yourself. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
When someone says they’re afraid, believe them. When your gut tells you something is wrong — act on it.
We can honor Kylee’s memory by demanding that our courts, law enforcement, and communities use every tool available to prevent future tragedies. Dangerousness hearings exist for a reason. Awareness campaigns exist for a reason. Domestic violence services exist for a reason. Together, they save lives.
Kylee deserved to be safe. Every survivor does. Kylee’s tragic death is a call to action. Awareness saves lives. Accountability in our courts saves lives. Believing survivors saves lives.
At The Second Step, we see every day that safety is possible when survivors are believed and systems respond with urgency. If you or someone you love is in danger, please know you are not alone.