17 females were murdered by males in West Virginia in 1999
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in West Virginia was 1.82 per 100,000 in 1999
Ranked 12th in the United States
Age
No female homicide victims were less than 18 years old, but 3 victims (18 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 46 years old.
Race
Out of 17 female murder victims, 3 were black and 14 were white.
Most Common Weapons
For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 69 percent of female victims (11 out of 16) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 73 percent (8 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 3 females killed with a knife or other cutting instrument, 1 female killed by a blunt object, and 1 female killed by bodily force.
Victim/Offender Relationship
For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 94 percent of female victims (16 out of 17) were murdered by someone they knew. One female victim was killed by a stranger. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 63 percent (10 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 10 female intimates murdered, 80 percent (8 victims) were killed with guns; 63 percent of these (5 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
For homicides in which the circumstance could be identified, 93 percent (14 out of 15) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 57 percent (8 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and offender.
