Tiffanie Suzanne Perry, a 23-year-old woman from Austin, Texas, was tragically killed on September 5, 2010. She was a vibrant and intelligent young woman, known for her infectious laugh and passion for life. Tiffanie was a model, bodybuilder, and a business student at Texas State University. Her life was cut short by her abusive boyfriend, Kenneth "Kenny" Trevino, a 26-year-old Mixed Martial Arts fighter.
The couple met in 2005, and by 2007, they had moved away from Texas to Las Vegas,
isolating Tiffanie from her family and friends. This isolation is a classic sign of a controlling and often abusive partner. In 2010, after a tumultuous relationship marked by breakups and reconciliations, Tiffanie decided to leave Trevino for good and was planning to move out of the country. On the night of her death, Trevino showed up at a girls' night out, took Tiffanie to his apartment, and shot her twice in the chest before turning the gun on himself.
Tiffanie's mother, Catherine Shellman, has since become a passionate advocate against domestic violence. She founded the nonprofit organization "Un-silence the Violence" to speak out against domestic abuse and help other women get the help they need. Shellman speaks to groups about her daughter's situation and what to look for in an abusive relationship, hoping to prevent others from experiencing similar tragedies.
The case did not lead to any arrests or ongoing investigations, as Trevino took his own life immediately after killing Tiffanie. However, Shellman's efforts continue to raise awareness about domestic violence and provide support to those affected by it.
