Domestic violence is one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed, in my opinion. When you decide to share your life with someone, you are essentially entrusting them with it. That person is supposed to put you before all other things so you can both mutually succeed in life. And yet, time and time again we hear about people — mostly women — having that trust betrayed in the most violent, abhorrent ways.
Former FBI agent Brad Garret told ABC News in 2021 that there are two types of domestic homicide: premeditated and spontaneous. Premeditated domestic murders are often poorly planned and solely driven by the fixations of getting rid of a partner — so much so that perpetrators don’t even think about details like phones being trackable and other factors.
The spontaneous ones are often a little more harrowing. “The spontaneous ones are people who probably have a history of abusing their spouse,” Garrett told the outlet. “[They] may have alcohol or drug dependency issues [or] raging jealousy issues” and often end up killing their partner in a “fit of rage.”
West Virginia husband Jason Joe Phillips was allegedly guilty of the latter. He reportedly took his shotgun and killed his wife, Joanna Lynn Phillips, in the kitchen. According to a press release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, Jason Phillips called 911 himself.
Law & Crime reported that the dispatcher who took the call relayed the message that he was “just fighting with her” and “was just tired of it.” When deputies arrived at his home around 3 a.m. December 20, 2025, Jason Phillips told them she “pushed him to the limit.”
Jason Phillips had two previous charges of domestic abuse. In 2021, he reportedly held a gun to his wife’s head and struck her in the mouth with it. He was charged with domestic assault, domestic battery, and brandishing a weapon. The charged were reportedly dismissed “with prejudice” in 2022, Law & Crime noted.
In March of 2025, Joanna Phillips called police again to say he physically attacked her and he was once again charged with domestic battery and scheduled for a trial in January 2026, the outlet reported. Now, Jason Phillips faces first-degree murder charged and is in custody still.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter (domesticshelters.org).
