My name is Rachael Venters. This year I will be 37 years old. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois in a poor farming community.  Illinois is where I first experienced domestic violence as a teenager at the hands of a boyfriend, whom I later married and divorced. This is also where I met the perpetrator who moved me to Northern Idaho where he tortured me and almost ended my life. I now live in a violence-free home with my two children and our pets. 

Nearly 15 years ago, my daughter, Angie Leon, was shot and killed by her estranged husband. Three weeks shy of her 22nd birthday, my daughter was taken from me and her three children. For the rest of our lives, we’ll be the victims of this senseless crime.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8, 2019

Media Contact: Todd Dvorak, Strategies 360

(208) 340-6265, [email protected]

At the age of 44 years old I was repeatedly awakened by nightmares. I told my wife I haven’t had this dream since I was a kid.  It became completely debilitating in a short amount of time.  I really thought I was going crazy. With the help of my family, I found myself in a rehab center. You see, addiction was part of my story. There,  I worked through some intense therapy and I learned that these dreams were actual memories from my childhood.  I could no longer deny what had happened to me.  My whole life I hated myself and couldn’t look in the mirror,  I struggled with addiction and suicidal thoughts but really never knew why.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2018

Media Contact: Todd Dvorak, Strategies 360

(208) 340-6265, [email protected]

Governor Otter Proclaims April 8-14 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Honors Victims, Advocates and Supporters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2018

Media Contact: Todd Dvorak, Strategies 360

(208) 340-6265, [email protected]

Marsy’s Law for Idaho: “We Won’t Give Up the Fight”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 28, 2018

Media Contact: Todd Dvorak, Strategies 360

(208) 340-6265, [email protected]

House Committee Approves Marsy’s Law for Idaho, Resolution Supporting Equal Rights for Victims Heads to Full House

Natalie Marti’s experience as a victim of crime begins in February 2003 when she, her husband, and their baby daughter were driving home on an Idaho interstate. As her husband, Shawn, prepared to exit the freeway, a drunk driver traveling the wrong way at speeds estimated at 98 mph smashed into Marti’s vehicle.

On March 11, 2011 Emmett Birk was shot and killed in a Walgreens parking lot by the husband of a secret mistress. His wife, Ashlee, was made a widow at the age of 28 with 5 children.

Ashlee is a survivor and through her trials, she has used her own story to bring comfort and healing to others. Ashlee shares her story through a blog and book series entitled, “The Moments We Stand.” In them, she tells of her personal journey of healing and seeking peace after the murder of her husband Emmett.

Ashlee resides in Idaho and supports Marsy’s Law. Below she explains more of her story and how Marsy’s Law would have impacted her journey.