ANDERSON, Ind. —
Amanda Brinker bubbled with life and laughter.
Laura Parkhurst said “Amanda Panda” — as family lovingly referred to her — was stolen from her too soon by a man Amanda believed loved her.
Amanda, 14, was killed Sept. 20, 2007, by 20-year-old Jesse Lee Pitts, who beat her in the back of the head with a vehicle jack handle at Edgewater Park. Family said Pitts had taken advantage of Amanda, who was still a child. The two had been acquaintances before the incident. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
Laura remembers her daughter as creative. Her home is filled with Amanda’s art projects.
She was a skilled gymnast, more graceful than the other girls, and a great softball player. Her passion for animals was clear.
“So many of the photos I have of her she is holding one of our pets,” Laura said.
That love of living things influenced her aspirations; she wanted to be a veterinarian or a nurse.
Amanda had an uncanny ability to make people laugh. Shy at first blush, she loved her close bond with family and friends.
Laura described her middle child — who she jokingly called her Jan Brady child — as “simply a beautiful, sweet, amazing young girl who loved her family and friends.”
Amanda had a bright, promising life. Her death devastated those who knew her.
“There are so many things,” Laura said. “I didn’t get to see her graduate. I don’t get to make her birthday cakes. It is so hard every day. I don’t know how to put that loss into words.”
Amanda’s younger brother Kurtis was 9 years old when Amanda was killed. The two were very close, Amanda doting on him when he was young. And she and older sister Suzanne were competitive, driving the other to be the best.
“She was my baby, my child,” Laura said, chocking back tears. “This isn’t just another story in the paper. The loss is so great to so many people.”
Faces of Domestic Violence
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Amanda Brinker
Discussion
Amanda Brinker: 'Bright, promising life'
Family mourns daughter taken too soon
- Faces of Domestic Violence
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Who can stop domestic violence? You
The elimination of abuse in relationships — with time, cooperation and commitment — is possible, said Colleen Yeakle, coordinator of the Indiana Coalition of Domestic Violence’s (ICADV) prevention initiative.
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Legislation comes a long way, but more change needed
Each year the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence sets its legislative priorities based on year-round discussions with its members and legislators to see what needs are out there and what is going on in the field.
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Children affected by abuse too
While some may think the atmosphere at Alternatives, the Anderson domestic violence shelter, would be a somber one, instead it is a building filled with laughter and joy.
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Kristy Gissendanner: 'Vivacious and sweet'
Six-day-old Gabrielle Gissendanner and her 18-month-old brother Michael weren’t far from their mom when Harry Gissendanner shot and killed Kristy in their Anderson home in 2004.
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John Davis: ‘Defined by your actions and inactions’
John Davis wants his pain to make a difference. He’s hopeful sharing what he experienced and witnessed growing up will empower someone else to leave a dangerous situation or avoid it altogether.
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‘It was life-altering’
Casey Huffman should have taken her son Camdon to his first day of kindergarten this year. She should be picking out a Halloween costume for him. She should be thinking about how to help him achieve his hopes and dreams. Instead, Casey mourns over his all-too-early death.
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Tina Tomlinson: 'She was a hoot'
Tina Tomlinson was just “plain fun,” her family recalled. The mother of two and dedicated grandmother was someone family could look to for a good time.
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Domestic violence prevention is possible, expert says
Gender stereotypes are just one thing that Todd Cawthorn and five other speakers, during a 90-minute panel discussion Tuesday night, talked about that create an environment where domestic violence is accepted.
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Teens can be victims of domestic violence, too
Dating violence has been seen locally in relationships as young as sixth grade, Alternatives Inc. prevention specialist Todd Cawthorn said.
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Justice for victims
While a protective order is an important piece of the legal puzzle that domestic violence victims have to solve, Judge Stephen Clase stresses to each that it is, after all, “just a piece of paper.” “They won’t stop a knife or a bullet,” he said. “I tell them they need to be on guard at all times.”
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