When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1997 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

Louisiana

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Louisiana was 3.94 per 100,000 in 1997

Ranked 1st in the United States

Age

Six female homicide victims (7 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 8 victims (9 percent) were 65 years of age or older.

Race and Ethnicity

Out of 89 female murder victims, 61 were black, 27 were white and 1 was American Indian or Alaskan Native. Under ethnic classification, none of the women were categorized as being of Hispanic origin.

Most Common Weapons

In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (85 cases), over half of female homicide victims (48 victims or 56 percent) were shot and killed with guns. More than 7 out of 10 of these gun victims (35 victims or 73 percent) were killed with handguns. There were 20 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments and 6 females killed by bodily force.

Victim/Offender Relationship

In cases in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified (85 cases), about 9 out of 10 female victims (75 victims or 88 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Ten female victims were killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 41 percent (31 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 31 female intimates murdered, 65 percent (20 victims) were killed with guns; 70 percent of these (14 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (71 cases), 77 percent (55 cases) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, 67 percent (37 cases), involved arguments between the victim and offender.

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