ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

A review of fatal domestic violence cases in Buncombe County is prompting calls for laws limiting violent offenders’ access to guns, better coordination of domestic violence resources and education on the signs of danger in intimate partner relationships.

Buncombe County commissioners next week will receive an annual report from a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, including horror stories about missed warning signs leading up to tragic cases.

The annual report, required under state law, includes findings related to a panel’s review of factors leading up to a murder-suicide case in Buncombe County. The victim and perpetrators are not identified in the report, nor are the specific date and location.

The review team found that over eight years leading up to the fatal incident, “the perpetrator” had multiple brushes with the law in multiple jurisdictions, including civil complaints and criminal charges, but there were no permanent civil orders granted and no criminal convictions.

Despite the prior complaints, “legal access to firearms was nearly uninterrupted,” the report states. Although the review team said it was unknown how the perpetrator obtained a handgun that was used in the murder, “Multiple bullet holes were reported and present in the home prior to the murder.”

The report describes several “high lethality indicators,” or warning signs, including the man’s colleagues noting changes in behavior leading up to the murder-suicide, including increasing paranoia, depression and expressions of homicidal thoughts.

“There is no indication the perpetrator ever received mental health services, even after connections with the court system and Child Protective Services,” the report states.

That case and others cited statistically in the report, led to multiple pages of recommendations, including:

  • “Acknowledge the connection between firearms to (domestic violence) homicides, child fatality and suicide,” and seek legislation that limits access to firearms for violent domestic violence offenders.
  • Fund age-appropriate education and a community awareness campaign on healthy relationships and warning signs of danger in intimate partner relationships.
  • Promote information sharing so agencies in different jurisdictions are aware of issues including domestic violence-related civil complaints, criminal charges and expungements.
  • Create a multi-disciplinary domestic violence team.
  • Expand funding for support service providers.
  • Train community health workers, peer support personnel, family partners and others to recognize warning signs.
  • Increase utilization of existing resources, like domestic violence intervention programs, case management and therapeutic services before troubling behaviors escalate.
  • Provide support to victims who are not U.S. citizens, including language access.

A copy of the full report is available at the Buncombe County website HERE.

Buncombe County Commissioners meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, in Commission Chambers at 200 College St., Room 326, in downtown Asheville.

A copy of the full agenda is available HERE.