CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Illinois — Pieces of a crime scene are left behind near Frank Holten State Reaction Area in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, just one day after a crash.
Now, loved ones are picking up the pieces.
Skyla Pawnell comes to grips with the loss of her cousin, 40-year-old Tiera Pawnell-Glasper. She said she was a loving mother of three and Glasper just became a grandmother to a baby girl.
"She’s my first cousin. She was my uncle's daughter who was killed when I was 10 years old. She lost her father when she was a young child. It’s like we are reliving it again. She was a good person inside and out and she didn't deserve what happened to her," Pawnell said.
Her other cousin, Edna Pawnell also admired Tiera Pawnell-Glasper.
"She was a wonderful mom," Edna Pawnell said. "She was such a humble person. She loved kids. She was a licensed daycare provider for many years. She’s going to be missed in so many ways. She was loved."
The Cahokia Police Department is investigating this case and detectives believe it's a domestic murder-suicide.
Police said they received a call around 1:35 p.m. on Tuesday for a single-car crash near Robert L. Price Road and Park Drive. According to police, Pawnell-Glasper died at the scene and her estranged husband was taken to a St. Louis hospital, where he later died.
Detective Jamal Jackson with Cahokia Heights Police Department said the investigation involved talking with family members and witnesses.
"It's a tragic incident for both families to go through something like this," Jackson said.
Police also report other agencies have received domestic disturbance calls on this couple before.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the holidays can be stressful and dangerous for domestic violence victims.
Executive Director of St. Martha's Hall, Jessica Woolbright, said while all the factors are already there, the problems can amplify and increase during the holidays.
"There could be more alcohol, stress and more time at home," Woolbright said.
Skyla Pawnell told 5 On Your Side they are asking for prayers.
"I would like to ask everyone to keep her kids and family members in prayers during these times because they lost both parents ... not just one," Skyla Pawnell said.
It's not the first time Skyla Pawnell has faced the gutting feeling of grief.
"I lost my son in 2018 in East St. Louis to gun violence," she said. "He was 21 years old."
Since then, Skyla Pawnell created an anti-crime group called Families Against Gun Violence. She said her efforts are to help anyone with the pain, piece by piece.
"I just want people to know they aren't alone in this, there is somebody out here going through it like you are," she added.
The family said Glasper did not have life insurance and they are raising funds for funeral arrangements. For details on how to donate, click here.
Police have not released the identity of her estranged husband as of Wednesday evening.
Resources for those experiencing domestic violence:
- If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314-531-2003. You can also text that number from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, free of charge.
- Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments also has a crisis line at 314-993-2777 and they have a number for Franklin County at 800-941-9144.
- The Women's Safe House can be reached 24 hours a day at 314-772-4535.
- St. Martha's Hall's number is 314-533-1313 or walk into the drop-in center to speak to an advocate.
- Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation (2DEF)'s number is 314-328-4348.