A Gaston County family is speaking out after their 19-year-old daughter, Isabella Stroupe, was tragically killed in a domestic violence incident, hoping their loss can raise awareness and help other women in similar situations.
Gaston County Family Mourns After Daughter’s Murder
Isabella Stroupe’s body was discovered on May 1, bound to a bed inside an apartment in east Charlotte. Investigators revealed that she had suffered multiple broken bones and stab wounds, and authorities believe she had been tortured for months.
Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Thomaz Hamilton, has been charged with her murder. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police allege Hamilton was responsible for the brutal attack on Stroupe.
Family Remembers Isabella
Isabella’s family, including her mother Emilie Stroupe and her siblings, are devastated by her death. They remember Isabella as a creative, avid reader with a great sense of humor.
“She was always talking about something related to fantasy, or the book she was reading,” her brother Jacob recalled.
Her mother, Emilie, shared her heartbreak: “I lost it, I just screamed and screamed. You watch so many TV shows about girls that have been brutalized and killed, and you think, ‘God, I hope that never happens to my kids,’ and then you wake up to this nightmare.”
Family Seeks Justice and Support
The Stroupe family is raising funds through a GoFundMe page to cover Isabella’s funeral and burial costs. They are also determined to fight for justice, hoping Isabella’s story can help prevent similar tragedies.
Isabella’s sister, Marleigh Bailey, expressed shock at the turn of events, saying, “We thought she was ok, we trusted him, we knew him. It’s unbelievable that somebody you trust can do something like that.”
Raising Awareness for Domestic Violence
In the wake of their devastating loss, the Stroupe family is speaking out in hopes of saving other women trapped in abusive relationships. Emelie Stroupe said, “I think Bella’s story is going to do a lot of good. That’s what justice is, right? You put [the attackers] where they can’t hurt anybody else.”
Authorities continue to investigate the case as they work toward securing justice for Isabella.
