PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Temple University is mourning the death of a student killed during what police say was an attack of domestic violence.
Nursing student Milan Jones, 20, was scheduled to begin her third year of study at the College of Public Health this fall.
Philadelphia police say she was killed Saturday morning by her boyfriend, Tymir Lackey, 21, in a Willington Street apartment.
“They got into some sort of altercation, where we believe the individual assaulted her and caused her death,” said Deputy Chief of Investigations Frank Vanore of the Philadelphia Police Department. “The cause of death was brute force, so it was clear she was hit by the individual while she was inside.”
Temple University suspended Lackey after he was arrested and charged with murder.
People close to the victim described her as smart and funny.
“Milan was a wonderful person,” said Ghia Ledwidge, Jones’ best friend and roommate. ‘She was so nice. She couldn’t scold anyone. She couldn’t be mean to anyone. She looked like my sister, we went to Puerto Rico together last year.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 17.3% of Philadelphia students have been physically injured by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year, which is nearly twice the national average.
Jones’ sister-in-law has set up a crowdfunding page to pay for Jones’ funeral.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the following resources are available to help you:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
- 1-800-787-3224 (TTY for the deaf)
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- 1-800-932-4632 (in Pennsylvania)
- 1-800-537-2238 (national)
