The Brittany Foote Story: Another tragic tale of domestic violence

By Lyndia Grant
Faith Columnist Special to the NNPA from the Washington Informer

Sixteen-year-old Brittany, full of life with a beautiful smile, was a friend of Tyisha Waters. Brittany was murdered this year, her body never found.

Early on, Brittany found herself in a violent relationship, one she would come to talk about with her friend Tyisha. After months of fighting, Tyisha invited Brittany to come to live with her and her twin sister Lamisha. Not clear about how she would be able to financially support Brittany, Tyisha and her sister took Brittany in anyway. They knew that life could not go on in the manner in which it had been, with constant fighting.

Though the home was actually the property of Tyisha’s twin sister Lamisha, she was allowed to take Brittany in. Tyisha was very young, only 21 years of age, with one young child and another one on the way; yet she was determined to help Brittany by letting her know someone cared for her.

A loyal friend, Brittany loved Tyisha and her children; they became her family for three years. Then she began dating a new boyfriend, a known criminal; not someone Tyisha wanted to see with her friend. After all, she had already been involved with one violent relationship, why would she consider another.

Within six months, control became a major factor followed by physical abuse. As abusers often do, he came between them, wanting to control her every move. Brittany always allowed these abusers to believe she was happy to be with them.

Finally, she became so involved with her friend that she moved in with him, and eventually, he convinced her to move to Florida with him. Then on March 19, 2015, Tyisha received the worst phone call of her life. Brittany had been killed by her boyfriend and no sign of her body could be found. The authorities still have not found her remains.

The story was a leading news story in Duval County, Florida. A CBS affiliate, WJAX, in Duval County, Florida wrote that the boyfriend of a Jacksonville, Fla. woman missing for over a month had been charged in her death.

Authorities say Courtney Davis, 29, was charged Tuesday with murdering his 22-year-old girlfriend, Brittany Foote, who was last seen March 18.

Courtney Davis reported that Davis’ father reportedly told police his son confessed to him that he killed Foote and the father told authorities he feared his son was suicidal.

The station reports Davis later confessed to the killing in an interview with police.

At the time the murder charge was filed, Davis was already behind bars on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Authorities say investigators determined Davis bought items to get rid of Foote’s body. Officials say the 22-year-old’s body was put in a dumpster in Jacksonville. Detectives searched a landfill for her remains for about 7 days, but the search turned up nothing.

Police say they are unsure of where Foote was murdered, but say they believe the motive in the killing was jealousy.

According to a PBS report, “Women may be afraid of strangers, but it’s a husband, a lover, a boyfriend, or someone they know who is most likely to hurt them.” And based on a U.S. Justice Department study, two-thirds of violent attacks against women are committed by someone the woman knows. In the U.S., one of the most dangerous places for a woman is in her own home. Approximately 1,500 women are killed each year by husbands or boyfriends. About 2 million men per year beat their partners, according to the F.B.I.

Lyndia Grant is an author, inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist; if you would like Lyndia to serve as facilitator for your retreat or special event, call 202-518-3192. Tune in Fridays at 6 p.m. to the radio talk show, 1340 AM, WYCB, a Radio One Station.