15 females were murdered by males in Maine in 1998
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Maine was 2.35 per 100,000 in 1998
Ranked 6th in the United States
Age
Two female homicide victims (14 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 2 victims (14 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 40 years old.
Race
All 15 female murder victims were white.
Most Common Weapons
For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 20 percent of female victims (3 out of 15) were shot and killed with guns. All of these gun victims were killed with handguns. There was 1 female killed with a knife or other cutting instrument, 4 females killed by a blunt object, and 5 females killed by bodily force.
Victim/Offender Relationship
For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 93 percent of female victims (14 out of 15) were murdered by someone they knew. One female victim was killed by a stranger. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 50 percent (7 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 7 female intimates murdered, 43 percent (3 victims) were killed with guns; all of them (3 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
For homicides in which the circumstance could be identified, 93 percent (13 out of 14) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 85 percent (11 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and offender.
