A mother and son are facing charges in connection to the death of an 18-year-old college student, Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday.
Court documents allege the stabbing victim was in the process of leaving the suspect after years of abuse.
The woman was reportedly trying to leave her abusive partner and now-accused killer, Oscar Daniel Vega Espinoza, who is not in custody.
"These balloons are filled with helium just as we are filled with pain and sorrow," Jaynice Ferguson's brother-in-law and family pastor told ABC13. Her relatives lit candles and released purple, blue, and white balloons in her honor amid shouts of "Justice for Jaynice."
"Nothing kept him away," Jaynice Ferguson's sister told only ABC13, a week after her loved one's killing. The 23-year-old victim's family said her ex repeatedly assaulted her despite a protection order.
The 45-year-old man was known to be abusive toward his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, in one instance reportedly telling her family, "If I can't have her, then nobody can."