When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1999 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

Missouri

53 females were murdered by males in Missouri in 1999

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Missouri was 1.88 per 100,000 in 1999

Ranked 9th in the United States

Age

Two female homicide victims (4 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 6 victims (12 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 41 years old.

Race

Out of 53 female murder victims, 26 were black and 27 were white.

Most Common Weapons

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 57 percent of female victims (30 out of 53) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 90 percent (27 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 7 females killed with a knife or other cutting instrument, 5 females killed by a blunt object, and 10 females killed by bodily force.

Victim/Offender Relationship

For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 90 percent of female victims (43 out of 48) were murdered by someone they knew. Five female victims were killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 37 percent (16 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 16 female intimates murdered, 81 percent (13 victims) were killed with guns; 85 percent of these (11 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

For homicides in which the circumstance could be identified, 73 percent (35 out of 48) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 66 percent (23 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and offender.

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The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational foundation that conducts research on violence in America and works to develop violence-reduction policies and proposals. The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related death and injury.

All contents � 2001 Violence Policy Center