On September 2, 2023, 49-year-old Grace Goodman was fatally shot in the garage of her Daly City, California, home. Earlier that day, around 1 a.m., police responded to a report that her boyfriend, 42-year-old Aubrey Avery Jr., had threatened her with a gun. Upon arrival, both Goodman and Avery denied the presence of a firearm, and officers found no evidence to warrant an arrest.
Approximately six hours later, at 7:30 a.m., officers returned to the residence following reports of a shooting. They discovered Goodman in the garage with multiple gunshot wounds; she was pronounced dead at the scene. Goodman's mother reported hearing a gunshot before witnessing Avery flee the scene. After a brief foot pursuit, police apprehended Avery about half a mile away and recovered the suspected murder weapon from a nearby trash can.
Avery was formally charged with murder on September 5, 2023, and is currently being held without bail. This incident is part of a concerning trend in San Mateo County, where all five homicides in 2023 have been linked to domestic violence. Advocates and authorities are raising awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence and the importance of recognizing warning signs to prevent such tragedies.
Goodman's family remembers her as an outgoing and caring individual who made friends easily. She leaves behind a teenage son and an adult daughter, who are now advocating for increased awareness and intervention in domestic violence situations to prevent further loss of life.
