Family Starts 'SonTia Strong' to Help Domestic Violence Victims

SonTia Simmons and Amia Cox were killed last summer by SonTia's boyfriend, who then died by suicide.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The family of SonTia Simmons and Amia Cox, who were killed in a domestic violence incident last summer, has started a new organization called 'SonTia Strong' to help other victims of domestic abuse. SonTia's mother, SonYah Parker, along with SonTia's aunt and cousin, hope to connect people with resources and eventually open properties where they can teach skills like gardening and sewing. The family says if certain protocols had been in place earlier, the tragedy may have been prevented.

Why it matters

Domestic violence is a widespread issue, with over 50% of people experiencing it in their lifetime. This tragedy highlights the need for better support systems and intervention programs to help both survivors and abusers. The family's new organization aims to fill that gap and prevent similar incidents from occurring.

The details

In early July 2025, SonTia Simmons and her cousin Amia Cox were killed by SonTia's boyfriend, LaBradford Ward. Ward was missing for about a week before being found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. SonTia's family, including her mother SonYah Parker, aunt Penny Hack, and cousin Bailey Dodds, have now started the 'SonTia Strong' organization to help other domestic violence victims. They believe that if certain protocols had been in place earlier, the tragedy may have been prevented.

  • In early July 2025, SonTia Simmons and Amia Cox were killed.
  • About a week later, LaBradford Ward was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The players

SonTia Simmons

A victim of domestic violence who was killed in 2025.

Amia Cox

SonTia's cousin, who was also killed in the 2025 domestic violence incident.

LaBradford Ward

SonTia's boyfriend, who was accused of killing SonTia and Amia and then died by suicide.

SonYah Parker

SonTia's mother, who is starting the 'SonTia Strong' organization to help other domestic violence victims.

Penny Hack

SonTia's aunt, who is helping to start the 'SonTia Strong' organization.

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What they’re saying

“They've been a lot of anger”

— SonYah Parker, SonTia's mother (wave3.com)

“Unfortunately, over 50 percent of people, men and women, have experienced domestic violence of some sort in their lifetime...and the 50 percent, that's just what we know”

— Bailey Dodds, SonTia's cousin (wave3.com)

“There was things that went on several years before him and SonTia got together, and I believe, in my heart of hearts, that if it would have been stopped the first time, if it had been mandated for him to get help and counseling to reevaluate what he was doing and what was wrong within him to make him feel it was okay to do these things, that maybe they would all still be here now”

— SonYah Parker, SonTia's mother (wave3.com)

What’s next

The organization is starting small, connecting people with resources, but SonTia's family has bigger plans for the future, including opening intake offices and properties where they can teach skills like gardening and sewing. They also hope to expand the organization across multiple states.

The takeaway

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for better support systems and intervention programs to address domestic violence. The family's new 'SonTia Strong' organization aims to fill that gap and prevent similar incidents from occurring, providing both resources for survivors and pathways for abusers to get help and change their behavior.