The Facts About 

Homicide 

In 2010, an estimated 14,748 persons were murdered nationwide—one every 36 minutes.1 

In 2010, 77 percent of murder victims were male 

and 23 percent were female.2

In 2010, for homicides in which the type of 

weapon was specified, 68 percent were committed with firearms.3 

In 2010, when the age and sex of the perpetrator were known, homicide offenders were most 

often males (ratio of 10 to 1) and adults (ratio of 

9 to 1).4 

In 2010, 32 percent of homicide victims were 

white, 38 percent were black, and 30 percent 

were classified as “other” or “unknown.”5 

In 2010, when the race of the victim and offender was known, homicide was generally intraracial: white offenders murdered 82 percent 

of white victims, and black offenders murdered 

96 percent of black victims.6 

Resources for Information 

and Assistance

Directory of Crime Victim Services 

Office for Victims of Crime 

Office of Justice Programs 

U.S. Department of Justice 

http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/findvictimservices 

National Organization of Parents of 

Murdered Children 

1–888–818–POMC or 1–888–818–7662 

www.pomc.com 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving 

1–800–GET–MADD or 1–800–438–6233 

www.madd.org

National Center for Victims of Crime 

202–467–8700 

www.ncvc.org

The Compassionate Friends 

1–877–969–0010 

www.compassionatefriends.org 

Concerns of Police Survivors 

1–800–784–2677 

www.nationalcops.org 

This product was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime under 

an agreement with ICF International in support of the Office for Victims 

of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center under contract number 

GS–23F–8182H/OJP–2006F_124. The opinions, findings, and conclusions 

or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do 

not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department 

of Justice.

Homicide

OVC

HELP SERIES

for Crime Victims

Endnotes

1

Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011, Crime in the United States, 

2010, Washington, DC.

2

Ibid. 

3

Ibid. 

4

Ibid. 

5

Ibid. 

6

Ibid. 
What Is Homicide?

Homicide is the willful, intentional killing of one human being by another, including murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide. Survivors of homicide 

victims, also called co-victims, are generally defined 

as the family members, friends, and other loved ones 

of the victim. They feel the life-changing impact of the 

trauma, hardship, and loss that result from the crime. 

What To Expect as a Co-Victim 

or Survivor of Homicide

The violent, unexpected death of a family member, 

intimate partner, or close friend is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can face, and it prompts a 

wide range of emotional reactions. Co-victims also may 

find that the “normal” grief of losing a loved one is further complicated by the trauma or stigma of the crime. 

There is no right or wrong way to feel when someone 

close to you is murdered. You may feel overcome with 

disbelief, anger, and sadness with an intensity never 

experienced before, or you may feel emotionally 

numb. It is normal for adults and children to experience such intense feelings in the days and weeks 

following a homicide, and then periodically over time. 

Survivors are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress 

disorder (PTSD) and other problems, where extreme 

anxiety, fear, and sadness or nightmares and intrusive 

thoughts remain constant for weeks or months. Additional support and counseling are often very helpful 

in managing these overwhelming emotions. 

Many families must contend with financial issues as a 

result of the crime. You and your family may need to 

quickly plan and pay for a funeral and cope with the 

loss of income resulting from the death of the family’s primary wage earner. Each state administers a 

victim compensation program that may provide you 

with financial reimbursement for expenses such as 

funeral and burial costs, counseling expenses, and 

lost wages. It is important to keep receipts and records 

for these and other out-of-pocket costs related to the homicide. Victim assistance programs in your community 

can provide information about your state’s crime victim 

compensation program. 

The investigation and criminal justice process following a homicide may be confusing and traumatic for 

co-victims. Family and friends may have many questions about the manner in which their loved one died. It 

is often important for you and your family members to 

remain in contact with the investigators and the victim 

assistance professionals assigned to the case in order 

to receive periodic updates about the investigation and 

court hearings, if there is an arrest. 

Family members and friends often feel that they have 

little control over the criminal justice process or results. 

Investigations do not always lead to an arrest, arrests 

do not always end in prosecution, prosecutions do 

not always end in convictions, and convictions do not 

always lead to stiff sentences. If there is an arrest, the 

length of time from arrest to final disposition varies 

from case to case. Court rules and continuances can 

be very frustrating. It is important to remember that 

most states guarantee certain fundamental rights for 

crime victims, and you may feel empowered by the opportunity to exercise your rights throughout the criminal 

justice process. Your local victim assistance program 

and the organizations listed below can provide more 

information about your rights as a co-victim. 

Also note that it is not uncommon to feel re-victimized 

by the media immediately following the crime or 

throughout the criminal justice process. The media may 

report inaccurate information, portray the victim in a 

negative light, or not report the crime at all. Victim 

assistance professionals or investigators can suggest 

ways for you to deal with such media issues. 

Most co-victims feel that they are forever changed by 

the homicide. However, like many other survivors, you 

may discover untapped reserves of resourcefulness and 

resilience that enable you to cope successfully in the 

aftermath of a tragic personal loss. 

Where Can You Get Help?

Resources are available in most communities to help 

family members and friends cope after the death of 

a loved one due to homicide. It is particularly helpful 

to contact a victim assistance professional or a victim 

advocate as soon as possible after being notified that 

your loved one has been murdered. Victim assistance 

professionals are often located within your local 

police department, prosecutor’s office, state attorney 

general’s office, or the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These 

professionals can help connect you to the investigators 

working on the case, provide information about crime 

victims’ compensation and other victims’ rights, and 

explain what to expect during various stages of the 

criminal justice process. They can also provide referrals for other services that may be helpful to you and 

your family in the aftermath of the crime. 

You may also want to seek the support and understanding of others who have gone through similar 

experiences. Many survivors report that a homicide 

support group, or just talking one-on-one with a person 

who has had a loved one murdered, helps them in 

their grieving process. These groups can help you 

realize that you are not alone and that others have 

experienced similar tragedies and survived. 

It may be helpful to speak one-on-one with a counselor 

or therapist who understands the trauma and complicated bereavement that follows a homicide. Many 

adults and children benefit from individual counseling, 

particularly if overwhelming feelings persist over a 

prolonged period. 

While at times you may feel very isolated as you try 

to cope with an event that is far outside the scope of 

so-called normal, everyday life, it is important to know 

that many types of assistance are available to you. 

You are not alone.