Mother raises awareness on domestic violence after daughter's death

For months after her daughter died, Jamie Dickerson was angry. Despite what officials first concluded, Jamie said she knew there was more to the story.

"I'm frustrated I always thought that the justice system was meant to fight for the innocent and I almost feel like they fought for the suspect," said Dickerson.

Dickerson's daughter, April Holt, died last July at her apartment on Cane Ridge Pkwy in Antioch.

"I talked to her an hour and a half before she texted me an hour and a half before she was found dead, perfectly fine," said Dickerson. "I texted her the night before, perfectly fine. She was meeting me at church the next day, nothing lead to signs of suicide."

Dickerson believed April's husband Donavan Holt had something to do with her daughter's death.

"If your gut, if your spirit is telling you this isn't right go with it keep digging don't just listen to the word 'closed case' and that be it," said Dickerson.

Dickerson did keep digging and recently Donavan Holt, who was living in San Antonio, confessed to killing April.

MNPD charged Donavan Holt with reckless homicide.

"I feel like it is the bare minimum and I want all these charges increased I mean why there is not child endangerment and first degree murder," said Dickerson.

April's spirit sill lives close to her mom's heart. Jamie, her husband and Arpil's two children wear a necklace with her finger print.

"I didn't want to just take this and only see the negative I want to give hope to other families," said Dickerson.

Dickerson said she will keep raising awareness for people in domestic violence situations.

If you are a survivor of domestiv violence, you are not alone. There are several local organizations with resources to help you, including the YWCA. The organization has a 65-bed emergency shelter for survivors. If you want to learn more, and need a safe way to contact them, you can text the YWCA at 615-983-5170.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com).

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