At least 31 Minnesotans died of intimate partner violence last year, advocates say
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At least 31 Minnesotans died as result of intimate partner violence in 2025, according to Violence Free Minnesota.
The statewide coalition seeks to end relationship abuse and has tracked homicides since 1989. It collects data from media reports, court records and individuals aware of or related to victims of domestic violence.
Intimate partner violence is a subset of domestic violence involving current and former spouses and dating partners.
In 2025, advocates say 31 Minnesotans were victims of intimate partner violence-related homicides. The coalition suspects the number could be higher.
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Meggie Royer, senior communications manager for Violence Free Minnesota, said most victims last year were women. One child and four men were also killed, including two bystanders or interveners.
“For every person who dies, there’s dozens of family members and loved ones who are left behind whose lives are irrevocably altered,” she said. “It is really overwhelming and devastating.”
About a third of those victims died in November and December, according to Violence Free Minnesota. Royer said that’s the highest number of deaths in a two-month period since the coalition started tracking data decades ago.
Royer said advocates cannot point to any one factor to explain the uptick, nor have they identified annual trends. However, she said there have been a few constants over the years: victim counts in the double digits; the role of firearms; women comprising the majority of victims; and racial disparities in homicide rates.
Violence Free Minnesota reports nearly a quarter of victims in the state last year were Black women and highlighted the gruesome killing of a transgender man of color, Sam Nordquist, in a Facebook post.
Royer pointed to systemic issues that could be driving the deaths.
“When we reach a point where we collectively address misogyny, and we collectively address anti-Blackness, and we really address like these high rates of homicides involving guns, I think we’ll start to see these numbers drop,” said Royer.
Royer said several dozen Minnesota organizations that support victims of domestic violence had to scale back programs — offering services like shelter, transitional housing, counseling and assistance navigating the legal system — because of federal funding changes last year.
In the coming year, Violence Free Minnesota plans to advocate for funding those organizations, as well as passing a “Survivor Justice Act” at the state level to better support criminalized victims. The law would ensure judges consider a defendant’s history of experiencing domestic violence during sentencing.
The coalition has an online memorial honoring victims of intimate partner violence on its website.
“It’s really important to record these numbers and to be aware of them, but we also want people to remember every person … not just how they died, but who they were as individuals,” Royer said.
A 24-hour statewide sexual violence and domestic violence hotline is available in Minnesota. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995 to connect to resources closest to where you live.
