Northland sees chain of domestic violence-related homicides

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The homicide in Duluth this past weekend appears to be the third domestic violence-related murder in the region this month.

It follows the domestic violence deadly shooting in Hermantown and the suspected murder-suicide in Chisholm, both of which occurred in mid-June.

In light of these tragic events, Angela Adams, the sister of the woman who died in Chisholm, urges others to seek help before turning to violence.

Adams says her sister Lindsey Graff’s death came as a shock, especially at the hands of someone her family knew.

“I truly do believe that Leo was a beautiful person that made a terrible, terrible, terrible decision,” said Adams.

Leo Schweiss, who also died in the apparent murder-suicide in Chisholm on June 17, was Graff’s ex-boyfriend.

According to Violence Free Minnesota, Graff was the 12th confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota so far this year.

Police are expected to share more details once the investigation is finished, but Adams says Schweiss was angry with Graff for breaking up with him.

“There is never ever anything that you can’t come back from, until you, literally in this situation, pull the trigger because you can’t come back from that, and you can’t come back from the lives destroyed and the children left behind,” said Adams.

Executive director of Safe Haven, Brittany Robb, says there is help available if you suspect a loved one is in a domestic violence relationship.

“We have some advocates that have been here for a decade or more that really know what to look for, how to help talk people through situations that they might be confused about,” said Robb.

As a domestic violence shelter and resources center in Duluth, Safe Haven offers support 24/7.

“I think the bravest thing a person can ever do is reach out for help, regardless of what that help is,” said Robb.

While Robb urges victims to reach out for help, Adams urges perpetrators to as well, hoping to save other families from the same heartbreak.

“It has to stop at some point, and we have to ask for help,” said Adams. “And that’s the strong thing to do, not a weak thing.”

You can find more information about Safe Haven here.

Their 24-hour crisis hotline is 218-728-6481.

PAVSA also provides support to victims of sexual violence in Duluth, and CASDA provides support to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Superior.

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