Stranger befriends grieving mother after her son dies in her backyard

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – In an act of humanity and compassion, two women have formed an unusual friendship based on shared grief following a tragic murder.

Dominique Turner and Brittany Rivers shared a long hug and it felt like old friends were together again. But they met for the first time and were connected by a heartbreaking bond.

“I couldn’t wait to hug her and tell her I loved her because she was important to her,” Dominique explained.

For Dominique, this moment means so much more than words can explain. Last September, her son Deonteiz Turner took his last breath in Brittany's backyard.

“It was terrible,” Brittany said. “You lost a child that day and it's kind of, I don't want to say forgotten, but you never hear about it again.”

Roanoke police found 24-year-old Deonteiz dead in his car last September. Officers said he was shot while driving near the intersection before crashing into the shed.

“That's not fair,” said Dominique. “Out of jealousy and hatred, he has a whole daughter who is growing up without her father.”

To honor her son on the first anniversary of his death, Dominique left flowers near where he died, carefully avoiding the shed to respect Brittany's property. When Brittany discovered the flowers, she placed them near the shed.

“I didn't even know his name. I'm grieving for the child of someone I don't even know,” Brittany said.

Overwhelmed by her emotions, she posted on social media to find Dominique and offer her condolences and support.

“I thought, okay, there's a community page where I can at least reach out to her and express my condolences. And I can visit her anytime I want. That's the whole point,” Brittany added.

Now, after a year of mourning, the two families are coming together. They plan to clean up the area and build a memorial to Deonteiz.

“If it can give her some closure, then that was the point,” Brittany said. “Just having a space to talk to him.”

As the murder of Deonteiz is once again in the spotlight, Dominique is urgently asking the public to help find those responsible.

“This is Roanoke. Everyone knows everything. Nobody says anything. People talk to each other, but not to the police,” Dominique emphasized.

As Dominique waits for justice, she finds comfort in her newfound friendship with Brittany, a bond that has brought her closer to the memory of her son and given her hope.

“There are still good people in this world. I thought nobody cared, but she proved me wrong. She actually does care,” Dominique said.

If you have any information that could help solve Deonteiz Turner's case, please contact Detective Terwilliger at (540) 853-2711.

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