Lanae Mouton of Phoenix, Arizona, and her 11-month old child Ava Mouton were slain by her estranged husband Louis Mouton at their home on October 4.
12 News reported that Lanae’s twin sister, Lauren Riley, stated that there was clear and ongoing manipulation between Louis and Lanae since they started dating as teenagers.
“He was always manipulative. She just never saw it,” said Riley.
Lanae and Louis had four kids together before the couple separated in April. Police reported that Lanae clutched onto her baby Ava while hiding in a closet in the home when Louis fatally shot both of them. Both of them were taken to the hospital, where they died.
The woman’s family said despite having noticed and dealt with domestic abuse from Louis, it took years before she could leave him.
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“There was literally nothing anybody could do,” Riley said. “I could’ve gone to the police and told them stuff, but they’re going to go back to her to back it up, and she’s going to protect him.
Lanae’s family also said they knew she was being abused by her husband and offered her the option of moving in with them, to which she declined.
“We all think tomorrow we’ll do this, tomorrow I’ll do that, and at some point, you won’t have tomorrow. The biggest challenge for so many relationships is that person making that final decision and taking action on it,” said Robert Wheatley Jr., Lanae’s brother.
Lanae’s family says that she was attempting to file for divorce from Louis at the time of her death.
The devastated family is now urging anyone suffering in a similar domestic violence situation to get help as soon as possible.
Louis has been charged with murder and burglary for the deaths of Lanae and Ava.
