Candace Williams, a 26-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, tragically lost her life on July 17, 2014. She was murdered by her husband, Phillip Deckard, in what was later determined to be a murder-suicide. The couple had been married for only five months, and Candace had recently asked Phillip to leave their apartment. The incident occurred early in the morning, with their 7-year-old daughter witnessing the argument and subsequent shooting.
The young girl bravely ran to a neighbor's house to call 911.
Phillip Deckard, 24, shot Candace and then turned the gun on himself. Both were found deceased at the scene by the police. Candace's one-year-old daughter was also in the bed with her mother at the time of the shooting, but fortunately, she was unharmed. The couple's other child, a 5-year-old, was also in the apartment but was not injured.
The Houston Police Department investigated the case and concluded that the argument between Candace and Phillip led to the tragic shooting. There were no prior indications of domestic violence, and Candace's friends revealed that she had confided in them about her struggles with her husband. In the aftermath of her death, Candace's mother, Monica Williams, started a domestic abuse awareness foundation called "Candace Way Out" to help other victims of domestic violence.
The case did not result in any arrests or ongoing litigation, as both the perpetrator and victim were deceased. The community held a candlelight vigil to honor Candace's memory and support her three children. The family has since been advocating for increased awareness and support for victims of domestic violence.
Candace Williams' story is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of domestic abuse and the importance of providing support and resources to those in need.
