The Utah Domestic Violence Council (UDVC) reported 28 homicides, suicides or other deaths related to domestic strife. In 2005 there were 33.

"It's not terribly dramatic, but it's five more people walking around," said Mark Nash, UDVC committee chairman for domestic violence-related deaths.

Since 2002, the council has been compiling statistics on domestic violence disputes that have resulted in the death of a cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend or a family member, even if those involved didn't live together. Seventeen deaths were recorded that year.

The list of dead in 2006 includes 42-year-old Tina Rene Evans, of Stansbury Park, who police say was stabbed in her home by her boyfriend when she tried to leave him in August. Her three children and their two friends were sleeping in the basement during the attack.

Two shotgun blasts to the back and head killed 40-year-old Orem resident Tonja Marie Nash in October as she ran from her home. Witnesses say her boyfriend gunned her down in the yard as a 7-year-old neighborhood girl watched. Nash's two young sons were also present when she died.

In 20 of the 28 cases, a firearm was used, and 16 children were present during seven of the attacks, the report states.

"In some cases, the children witnessed the killing or found the actual body after the killing occurred," Mark Nash said.

Council member Brandy Farmer speculated that Lori's Law, named after murder victim Lori Hacking, who was shot by her husband in 2004, has made a difference in lowering the domestic violence death rate in 2006.

The law increased the minimum prison sentence recommendation for first-degree felony murder from five years to 15 years. It also provides possible increased prison time for killers who are in a position of trust with their victims.

The report shows that domestic violence fatalities occurred around the state, including rural counties such as Box Elder, Washington, Beaver and Emery.

"This is not just a big city event," Mark Nash said. "It strikes me that a higher percentage of these were outside the city than I would have thought."

Half of the 2006 deaths occurred in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties, the state's most populous.

The youngest person on the domestic violence death list was 16. The oldest was 82.

"The average age of those people is the mid-40s," Nash said. "I honestly don't know why."

Nash said the report points out "the ultimate toll" of domestic violence.

"You can't really intervene to try and stop death," Nash said. "You try and intervene to stop domestic violence."

jbergreen@sltrib.com

"This is not just a big city event," Nash said."It strikes me that a higher percentage of these were outside the city than I would have thought."

The Utah Domestic Violence Council reported 28 homicides, suicides or other deaths related to domestic strife. In 2005 there were 33.

"It's not terribly dramatic but it's five more people walking around," said Mark Nash, UDVC domestic violence-related deaths committee chairman. "This is not just a big city event. It strikes me that a higher percentage of these were outside the city than I would have thought."

MARK NASH

Utah Domestic Violence Council on a report showing violent acts around the state