Amanda Ross's death will not be in vain if it brings about stronger protections for battered women.
And there is plenty more Kentucky can do.
At a time when increasing numbers of victims are seeking shelter, and staying in shelters longer, there is no corresponding increase in funding.
The courts and law enforcement still don't take domestic violence seriously in too many places in Kentucky.
And the legislature has yet to extend domestic violence protections to unmarried couples unless they have lived together.
Ross, 29, was a vivacious, well-educated professional from a prominent family. That she sought protection from domestic violence shows it really can happen to anyone.
Her ex-fiance, Steve Nunn, a former legislator and son of a governor, is charged with fatally shooting her in the gated parking lot of her Lexington townhouse.
Across Kentucky, women who have far fewer resources are struggling to escape beatings and threats. Since 2001, at least four — Amy Davis, Dorene Seidl, Adrian Radford and Patricia Searcy — have been gunned down by men who were not supposed to have weapons because they were under domestic violence orders.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Lexington Herald-Leader.
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