Community Continues to Pray for the Family of Gwen Cox Salley

I have been thinking and praying a lot about Gwen Cox Salley, the Grand Cane woman who was murdered by her estranged husband. It might seem strange to you, but I decided to write a letter to God on her behalf.

Dear God,

I'm writing on behalf of a woman I have never met. But I know she deserves some special attention as she arrives at your doorstep. Her name is Gwen Cox. She was murdered by her estranged husband this week. She leaves behind a 7 year old daughter who now has no mom or dad. This child will forever have questions about why her daddy did what he did.

We may never know what drove Michael Salley to kill Gwen, but we do know this was not the first time he traumatized her.

Gwen is a representative of many domestic violence victims. She suffered. Only a few people probably know how much she suffered. Gwen did what she had to do to get out of a violent situation. She called police. she filed for divorce and a protective order. She changed the locks at her home. She did the best she could to protect her daughter.

But there will still be those who ask why she didn't leave earlier. That is a question that often bothers me. I can tell you she probably really loved him. She also did not want her child to be without a father. There are so many reasons victims stay with an abuser. She wants to keep the family and the marriage going.

She pulled her daughter out of her car when she saw her estranged husband pull up to the day care center in Stonewall. She saved her daughter's life.

I don't know the extent of the abuse in the Salley marriage. But I can imagine he controlled Gwen in all areas of her life. He probably told her how to dress, who she could talk to, and how she should behave. I don't know this, but I would imagine there was also physical abuse. Most of the people in Gwen's life probably never knew the extent of the abuse. She, like most abuse victims probably hid it from those in her life. This is quite common.

We stop today to remember her. To those who love her, I can not express enough sympathy to you. I am so sorry for your loss.

God, wrap your arms around her and welcome her to your kingdom.

Love,

Erin