NEW SHARON, Maine (AP) — The killing of a Maine woman was the third domestic murder in the same family, authorities in the state said.
Maine State Police said Jessica Dapolito, 42, was killed by gunshot by her partner Robert Dapolito, 55, on Monday in their New Sharon home. Robert Dapolito then killed himself, police said. The two were longtime domestic partners, and Jessica had taken Robert’s last name.
Dapolito’s mother, Michelle Masse, was killed by her father who then shot himself. Additionally, her brother-in-law’s late wife Kelly Winslow-Dapolito was murdered by her husband, WGME-TV reported.
Robert Dapolito’s brother, Patrick Dapolito, was convicted of the 2010 shooting and killing of Kelly Winslow-Dapolito. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
Thomas Masse, Jessica Dapolito’s father, killed Michelle Masse and himself in a murder-suicide two years ago.
Victim advocates in the state, including the head of Safe Voices, said the killings are a chilling lesson in the importance of encouraging people who see or suspect domestic violence to speak up.
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