When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1997 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

Virginia

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Virginia was 2.21 per 100,000 in 1997

Ranked 8th highest in the United States

Age

Seven female homicide victims (9 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 4 victims (5 percent) were 65 years of age or older.

Race and Ethnicity

Out of 76 female murder victims, 37 were black, 37 were white, and 2 were Asian or Pacific Islander. Under ethnic classification, none of the women were categorized as being of Hispanic origin.

Most Common Weapons

In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (71 cases), nearly two thirds of the female homicide victims (45 victims or 63 percent) were shot and killed with guns. More than 6 out of 10 of these gun victims (29 victims or 64 percent) were killed with handguns. There were 10 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments and 10 killed by bodily force. The remainder of cases involved other non-firearm weapons.

Victim/Offender Relationship

In cases in which the relationship between the victim and the offender could be identified (73 cases), nearly 9 out of 10 female victims (65 victims or 89 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Eight female victims were killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 60 percent (39 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 39 female intimates murdered, 77 percent (30 victims) were killed with guns; 70 percent of these gun victims (21 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (61 cases), 84 percent (51 cases) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, 73 percent (37 cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.

Back to When Men Murder Women Table of Contents