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What are the factsabout homicide?■ There were an estimated 15,533

homicides during 1999 throughout the

United States. (Crime in the United States1999. 

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of

Investigation, 2000)

■ Firearms were used in 7 out of 10 homicides during

1999. (Crime in the United States 1999.

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation,

2000)

■ Arguments were the cause of 30 percent of homicides in 1999, whereas 17 percent happened in

conjunction with another crime, such as robberyor arson. (Crime in the United States 1999.

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation,

2000)

■ In 1999, 76 percent of murder victims were male,

and males constituted 90 percent of those whocommitted murder in cases in which gender wasreported. (Crime in the United States 1999.

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation,

2000)

■ In 1999, 48 percent of all murder victims knew

their assailants: 14 percent were related to theoffenders, and 34 percent were acquainted withthem. (Crime in the United States 1999.

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation,

2000)

■ Murder is most often intraracial. Data based on

incidents involving one victim and one offendershow that in 1999, 94 percent of black murdervictims were killed by black offenders and 85percent of white murder victims were killedby white offenders. (Crime in the United States1999.

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of

Investigation, 2000)

■ In the United States, homicide causes 20 percent

of all deaths among youth and young adults ages10 to 24. (MMWR–CDC Surveillance Summaries:Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States 1997,47(55–3). Atlanta, GA: Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, 1998)

■ Since the mid-1980s the rate of murder committed

by youth has doubled, increasing by 102 percent.(State Legislative Responses to Violent Juvenile Crime:1996–97 Update.

Washington, DC: Office of

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,1998)

Resources for Information

and Assistance

The Compassionate Friends

630–990–0010

www.compassionatefriends.org

Concerns of Police Survivors

1–800–784–2677

www.nationalcops.org

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

1–800–GET–MADD or 1–800–438–6233

www.madd.org

National Center for Victims of Crime

1–800–FYI–CALL or 1–800–394–2255

www.ncvc.org

The National Coalition of Homicide Survivors, Inc.

520–740–5729

www.mivictims.org/NCHS

National Organization for Victim Assistance

1–800–TRY–NOVA or 1–800–879–6682

www.try-nova.org

National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children

1–888–818–POMC or 1–888–818–7662

www.pomc.com

Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center

1–800–627–6872

TTY 1–877–712–9279

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ovcres/welcome.html

This brochure was developed by the National Center for 

Victims of Crime under a project supported by Grant No.

97–VF–GX–K007 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime,

Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Points of view in this document are those of the author

and do not necessarily represent the official position

or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What is homicide?

Homicide is generally defined as the willful, intentional killing of one human being by another. There aredifferent types of homicide, including murder andmanslaughter. People from all walks of life and all typesof backgrounds can be victims of homicide. Familymembers and significant others become covictimswhen their loved one is murdered.The violent death of a family member, intimate partner, or close friend is one of the most traumatic experiences you could ever face. It is an event for which noone can adequately prepare but that results in a widerange of emotional pain and upheaval. Everyone closeto the victim will grieve in different ways. In addition,the sudden and unnatural manner of death presentsfeelings and emotions that compound those causedby your grief.As a homicide covictim, you may experience manykinds of loss. You may feel a loss of self or feel changedfrom the person you used to be. You may feel that youhave lost control of your life and your sense of safetyand security. You may question your faith or religion.When covictims first learn about the homicide, manyexperience shock and disbelief, numbness, changes inappetite or sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating,confusion, anger, fear, and worry. It is hard to understand how others are able to go on with their daily routine. For a long time, the emotional and physicalsuffering may seem to use up all theenergy you have. Even thoughyou knew before the murderthat bad things happen,you may have thoughtthey only happened toother people, so youdid not feel vulnerable to crime. Now,you have a new senseof vulnerability foryourself and others.

If You Are a HomicideCovictimA homicide is almost always violent. The knowledgethat your loved one experienced an intentional deathcan be traumatic and will cause grief. The death thattook your loved one probably feels unlike any otherloss you have experienced. You may feel vast swings inemotion. You may feel guilty for not being able to protect your loved one, even if you know that wasimpossible. Even many years after a murder, covictims may find themselves suddenly cryingover their loss. Such experiences are calledtrauma and grief “spasms.” Certain events,such as birthdays or anniversaries, may triggerthis kind of grief.Your involvement with the criminal justice system may complicate your grief. Often, homicidecovictims are depersonalized throughout the criminal process. Through the police investigation, you mayhear for the first time certain details about your lovedone that can be confusing and sometimes hurtful.Inaccurate or inappropriate information about yourloved one may come out in court or in the media. Inaddition, court rules and continuances can be very frustrating. Covictims find that arrests do not always endin prosecution, prosecutions do not always end in convictions, and convictions do not always mean stiff sentences. If the murderer is never arrested, your griefprocess may be even more difficult.Remember, each person deals with tragedy in his orher own way. At times, you may feel depressed orhopeless and lack interest in things you once enjoyed.Emotions may come and go or overwhelm you. Knowthat intense feelings are normal. What you feel is whatyou need to feel moment by moment. Covictims areforever changed by homicide. Life will never be thesame for you and your family, but many homicide covictims find that with time, they can face life with newunderstanding and new meaning.

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