One month after a murder-suicide left a wife and husband dead in Adams County and orphaned a 12-year-old boy, court documents reveal new insight into a woman's efforts to get out of a volatile relationship.Investigators said Jason Madden, 32, shot and killed Rachel Madden, 33, at Southern Ohio Lumber Company, where they both worked. Jason Madden was not supposed to be at work that day. The couple leaves behind a 12-year-old son. Rachel's twin sister previously told WLWT that her sister had left Ohio temporarily to stay with her family. "She decided that she was going to get away from her husband. She didn't feel safe," Whitney Bradshaw said. Rachel Madden applied for a domestic violence protection order Aug. 16. It was granted and went into effect Aug. 23. She wrote, "Approximately in May we started discussing divorce. I agreed to give it some time." By late July, she said she told Jason he needed to move out or she would. Jason moved on a few days later.Rachel wrote that the couple had several recent long fights and Jason "freaked out" and showed up at the house several times.She said one of those fights happened at work. Both were employed at Southern Ohio Lumber Company. On Aug. 9, Rachel said Jason came into their job as she was leaving and argued for 30 minutes."When I tried to leave, he got in my car and we argued for 1hr 30 mins. I went to call 911 and he put his gun to his head and told me if I called then he would pull the trigger," Rachel wrote. Two days later, she said Jason messaged her numerous times asking to blindfold her and have sex with her. She wrote that she ignored the messages and he showed up at the house and continued pressuring her when she said no. She said she felt uncomfortable, left the home and had a friend pick her up."I felt like he was going to try and rape me," she wrote.Rachel filed for the protection order Aug. 16 after she said Jason cornered her and followed her to the sheriff's department, where deputies instructed him to leave. The protection order, signed by Adams County Judge Brett Spencer, did not require Jason Madden to turn over his guns. Instead, the judge said the guns were to remain in possession of Jason Madden's grandparents. Family members said that is who Jason moved in with after moving out of the home he shared with Rachel. Advocates say domestic violence survivors have to build up a lot of courage and plan before leaving. "When you are leaving a domestic violence relationship, it's not a one-event situation. It's something that a survivor has to practice," said Tiffany Wilson, assistant director of domestic violence services at the YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Wilson said family members who suspect a loved one may be in an abusive or violent relationship should look out for personality changes, increasing isolation and even property damage in that loved one's home. Nicole Williams is the director of residential and JFS services at YWCA Greater Cincinnati and spends time each week working with survivors.Williams said persistence is key for victims looking to get out and for family members trying to help. "We encourage everybody that wants to get out of the situation to call us. We safety plan with each and every caller," she said. "Call the police. Continue to call them. You can never call too many times."To loved ones she says "don't give up. Continue the conversations. Go as slow as you have to but be intentional."The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati runs a 24/7 hotline for anyone dealing with domestic violence: 513-872-9259.
One month after a murder-suicide left a wife and husband dead in Adams County and orphaned a 12-year-old boy, court documents reveal new insight into a woman's efforts to get out of a volatile relationship.
Investigators said Jason Madden, 32, shot and killed Rachel Madden, 33, at Southern Ohio Lumber Company, where they both worked. Jason Madden was not supposed to be at work that day.
The couple leaves behind a 12-year-old son.
Rachel's twin sister previously told WLWT that her sister had left Ohio temporarily to stay with her family.
"She decided that she was going to get away from her husband. She didn't feel safe," Whitney Bradshaw said.
Rachel Madden applied for a domestic violence protection order Aug. 16. It was granted and went into effect Aug. 23.
She wrote, "Approximately in May we started discussing divorce. I agreed to give it some time." By late July, she said she told Jason he needed to move out or she would. Jason moved on a few days later.
Rachel wrote that the couple had several recent long fights and Jason "freaked out" and showed up at the house several times.
She said one of those fights happened at work. Both were employed at Southern Ohio Lumber Company. On Aug. 9, Rachel said Jason came into their job as she was leaving and argued for 30 minutes.
"When I tried to leave, he got in my car and we argued for 1hr 30 mins. I went to call 911 and he put his gun to his head and told me if I called then he would pull the trigger," Rachel wrote.
Two days later, she said Jason messaged her numerous times asking to blindfold her and have sex with her. She wrote that she ignored the messages and he showed up at the house and continued pressuring her when she said no. She said she felt uncomfortable, left the home and had a friend pick her up.
"I felt like he was going to try and rape me," she wrote.
Rachel filed for the protection order Aug. 16 after she said Jason cornered her and followed her to the sheriff's department, where deputies instructed him to leave.
The protection order, signed by Adams County Judge Brett Spencer, did not require Jason Madden to turn over his guns. Instead, the judge said the guns were to remain in possession of Jason Madden's grandparents. Family members said that is who Jason moved in with after moving out of the home he shared with Rachel.
Advocates say domestic violence survivors have to build up a lot of courage and plan before leaving.
"When you are leaving a domestic violence relationship, it's not a one-event situation. It's something that a survivor has to practice," said Tiffany Wilson, assistant director of domestic violence services at the YWCA Greater Cincinnati.
Wilson said family members who suspect a loved one may be in an abusive or violent relationship should look out for personality changes, increasing isolation and even property damage in that loved one's home.
Nicole Williams is the director of residential and JFS services at YWCA Greater Cincinnati and spends time each week working with survivors.
Williams said persistence is key for victims looking to get out and for family members trying to help.
"We encourage everybody that wants to get out of the situation to call us. We safety plan with each and every caller," she said. "Call the police. Continue to call them. You can never call too many times."
To loved ones she says "don't give up. Continue the conversations. Go as slow as you have to but be intentional."
The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati runs a 24/7 hotline for anyone dealing with domestic violence: 513-872-9259.
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