Woman killed by man in Chesapeake murder-suicide was ‘just a good human being,’ friend says

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Chesapeake Police are investigating a murder-suicide that happened over the weekend.

In a press release Thursday, police said it happened around 5:30 a.m. Sunday in the 900 block of Hathaway Court. Witnesses told police there was an argument inside and then they heard gunshots.

When officers arrived, police say they were able to rescue two residents from the home. They discovered 38-year-old Brent Walker, of Chesapeake, had shot himself and 33-year-old Marissa Free, of Virginia Beach. Both died at the scene, police say.

No other details were shared Thursday afternoon in the press release, however a friend of Free spoke with 10 On Your Side.

“You just never imagine something like this could happen,” said Laurie Cust, who was a friend and coworker of Free’s. “I’m still trying to make sense of it all, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Cust says Free and Walker knew each other for some time. They had dated briefly while Free was on a break with a longtime boyfriend.

Cust says Free tried to end things and still remain friends with Walker, but there was turbulence.

A criminal complaint Free filed back in July in Staunton, Virginia, details an attack: Walker hit Free repeatedly while in a car.

Free filed charges with the magistrate’s office, which granted a warrant and temporary protective order. Court records show Walker was charged with assault and battery and released on recognizance.

“So there were charges brought up a couple months ago and then she was trying to get away and stay away,” said Cust.

A hearing set for July was continued to December, but there was another attack Sunday morning, this one fatal.

“She was meeting somebody for breakfast Sunday morning and he hunted her down, wrecked her car, took her to Chesapeake and then he killed her and killed himself,” Cust said.

Cust spoke out to share Marissa’s story and spirit.

“She was a good human being,” said Cust. “She donated her time, she volunteered, she was always there when you needed her…just a great, great person.”

She hopes speaking out helps other victims of domestic violence.

“I hope that if there’s anybody out there that’s dealing with this kind of situation that this can wake you up to get out,” said Cust. “Leave, get away, don’t try to help because you’re never promised tomorrow.”

The family created a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses. Click here to donate.

---

---

Latest Posts: