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A woman who spent her life shining a spotlight on domestic violence was remembered at two vigils after police say she was murdered by her estranged boyfriend.
Friends and family of Donna Alexander met Monday night to remember the mother of two and Dallas entrepreneur. Alexander was remembered as a bright and caring women who campaigned against domestic violence but fell victim to it.
"I’m happy and I’m sad at the same time. I'm happy that she touched so many people’s lives. I'm sad that she is gone so early. That somebody took her away fro me," said Alexander's father, Donald.
Police say Alexander was assaulted by her estranged boyfriend Nathaniel Mitchell. Alexander's sister Lauren says Donna had kicked her Mitchell out of her Grand Prairie home the night before. Mitchell returned early in the morning on Friday September 21st with Alexander’s two children ages 12 and 14 and assaulted her.
"He ran around the back to my sister’s room and broke in the window. They got into an argument and he attacked her. The children reported they heard arguing and screaming until they got quiet," Lauren said.
Alexander died from her injures a few days later after being taken off life support.
“My sister died for what she stood against. She stood against domestic violence," Lauren said.
Alexander opened "The Anger Room" in 2008 in Deep Ellum. It proved to be a popular attraction and went on to get national attention.
The man now accused of killing her, Nathaniel Mitchell, was also there that day. He's charged with capital murder in her death. Grand Prairie police say Mitchell first brought a badly injured Donna Alexander to a Grand Prairie hospital. Doctors determined her injuries were so severe she needed to go to Baylor in Dallas. They also called Grand Prairie Police because Alexander's injuries were inconsistent with Mitchell's story.
The vigil outside Grand Prairie Police headquarters Monday night marked the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Detective Tim Paulson had a message.
"Let’s stand for miss Alexander. Let’s stand for all of our victims. Let’s report these signs of domestic violence that victimizes one American every 20 minutes in our country and folks that is far too often."