Senicha Lessman. Photo credit: Eagan Police Department
HER BROWN EYES HOLD a certain soulfulness. I can see that in Senicha Lessman’s photo released by the Eagan Police Department. She died Tuesday afternoon of homicidal trauma to her face and neck. As did her unborn baby; Senicha was 32 weeks pregnant.
Two lives lost. Senicha, 25, will never see her son, due March 19. Her son will never see his mother. Their senseless and violent deaths are sad and tragic and maddening.
Family and friends and co-workers grieve the loss of this young woman, this mother-to-be. She was excited about becoming a mom, was registered online for baby gifts. A swing. Diapers. Bottles. Burp cloths. She held hopes and dreams. No more. This baby who would become a boy who would become a teen who would become a man lost his future in an act of violence.
Police arrested a 23-year-old man as a person of interest in the murders. He was in a relationship with Senicha. If he proves to be the perpetrator, then this makes Senicha and her baby victims of domestic violence.
When will it end? When? There is never an excuse for violence against women. Fatal or otherwise.
UPDATE: Thursday, January 26, 3:36 PM
Vern Mouelle, 23, of Brooklyn Park has been charged with one count of second degree murder (with intent) and with one count of murder of an unborn child in the second degree (with intent) in the deaths of Senicha and her baby. He has been identified as the father of the unborn baby boy by Senicha’s mother. Click here to read the news release from the Dakota County Attorney, including details of the investigation and the criminal complaint.
FYI: If you are in an abusive relationship and in immediate danger, call 911. If not, but you are in a physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, financially or technologically abusive relationship, please seek support from a local women’s shelter and/or advocacy group, a trusted friend or family member, someone. You are not alone. You deserve to live free of abuse. You are so worth it.
NOTE: These double murders remind me of the deaths nearly four years ago of Faribault native Margie Brown Holland and her unborn daughter, Olivia. Margie’s husband was convicted of first-degree murder for both deaths. That hit close to home. Margie’s father once lived across the street from me.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
women violence are increasing day by day. we have to take action against all. It’s a very sad story
Yes, we all need to do our part. And that is to speak and not remain silent, for one thing.
“Power, control, ‘me, me, me, me'”……….when I observed the shift in our public schools, years ago when our boys were elementary ages, to a “we must protect/encourage these young ones’ psyches and not make any type of damaging (disciplinary?) impositions on them”…..I could see that society as a whole had been led down a path that could not help but result in this end: a total disregard for the value of human life. O’Hare’s lone cry brought about the beginnings of the complete removal of God’s influence from, not only our schools, but society in general. “As it was in the days of Noah………………..” is upon us………………….
You nailed it: Domestic abuse is all about power and control.
Such a sad thing—thank you for your efforts working against domestic violence. It takes all of us.
Amen to “it takes all of us.”
Thank you for posting and remembering Senicha and her unborn baby. This situation, and the others, bring such deep sadness.
Yes, the sadness runs deep…
Appalling, such a despicable act!
That would be accurate.
Such another sad story of domestic violence and a senseless tragedy. Thanks for continuing to raise public awareness on the subject and keeping it on the forefront of all communities.
You are welcome. I will continue to write on the topic.
Domestic violence is common but still shocking, we had it in our family 70 years ago. My dad beat up my mother regularly. After ten years she left with us kids. Today it is more violent, punishment should fit the crime but it never does. We will never have enough prisons at this rate!
I am so sorry you experienced domestic violence in your family. But thankful your mother was able to break free. This type of violence has always existed. Today, though, we are more aware of it. Yet, there’s still a significant amount of misunderstanding and victim-blaming. We need to continue to educate ourselves and to offer hope, empathy and justice. “The system” fails too many victims/survivors.
Heartbreaking
Yes, it is. My heart hurts for those who knew and loved Senicha and her unborn baby boy.
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Thanks for sharing this story…