Tiffanie Perry

Photo credit: Ron Natal

By Cortney Clarke

Tiffanie Perry was a student at Texas State University where she was on the Dean’s Lists and was pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in business management. Unfortunately, she became a victim of domestic violence and, as of September 5, 2010, she is no longer with us.

Students were touched by the life of Tiffanie which encouraged the creation of Bobcats Leaving Out Violence (BLOV). Those who started the program were classmates of Tiffanie, and had only known her for a short period of time. They could not believe that a woman that was so kind could have such a tragic incident happen to her. Tiffanie’s story encouraged other Texas State students to speak out for help.

Tiffanie grew up in Texas with her parents and her beloved younger sister Becky Perry. The two sisters had an inseparable bond, being only 18 months apart in age. They cherished each other’s trust and company, by writing and sharing in each other’s diary. Tiffanie was Becky’s “number one fan,” as she dressed up and traveled to watch Becky pursue her career in volleyball.

Tiffanie was also really close to her mother, Catherin Shellman. She explains their bond as an internal connection they had together. Growing up, Catherin always knew, deep down, when Tiffanie was upset. As Tiffanie grew older, their relationship molded into a close friendship.

“We would have intellectual conversations,” Catherin said. “As your children get older your relationship changes and you learn perspectives you never thought of.”

Tiffanie met her ex-boyfriend, Kenny Trevino, when she was a waitress in December 2005. He was a frequent customer who she found attractive, so they exchanged numbers. She talked about him all of the time with her friends and family, until about ten months to a year within their relationship when she began to show signs of distance; the communication about Kenny began to diminish.

Tiffanie and Kenny’s relationship was on and off for five years. Every time Tiffanie would break off the relationship with Kenny, he would stalk and threaten his way back into her life. The final break up only lasted two weeks before Kenny took her life, and then his own.

She never showed clear signs of domestic abuse. Tiffanie remained a happy person and was always there for people. Catherin explained her as making ordinary people feel like they were the “queen of the ball.” She always made people feel really special, and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Tiffanie’s family and friends were close to her, but never knew what was going on in her relationship.

“Tiffanie was leaving tiny crumbs of clues to a huge wedding cake of a story,” said Catherin after sharing stories between friends and family.

Catherin hopes that Tiffanie’s story will help bring awareness about domestic violence to people. She does not want domestic violence to be seen as shameful that it would cause people to not speak out and seek help. Domestic violence needs to be talked about so that people will come to the realization that it is an intolerable act.