Nebraska domestic violence deaths remain a growing concern, according to the 2026 Annual Report released by the Nebraska Domestic Abuse Death Review Team and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. The report identified 89 domestic abuse-related victim deaths statewide between July 2022 and December 2025, including 30 deaths in 2025 alone. Review team members examined 41 cases involving 46 victims and found that Nebraska experienced more intimate partner murder-suicides in 2025 than in 2023 and 2024 combined.
The report highlights the devastating impact domestic violence has on children. Investigators found 32 children were present when a parent or caregiver was killed, 10 children were murdered by a family member during a domestic abuse incident, and more than 80 children were directly affected by domestic abuse deaths during the review period. The team also reported that nearly half of perpetrators had a known history of domestic violence, while many cases revealed long-term patterns of violence and abuse.
One of the report’s most significant findings was the lack of contact victims had with formal support services. Among the cases reviewed, only one victim had contact with a domestic violence program in the year before their death. However, family members were aware of prior violence in 74 percent of cases and friends knew about the abuse in 65 percent, underscoring the need for greater public awareness and stronger connections to available resources.
The report also outlines efforts to improve prevention and response, including a free five-session virtual training series beginning October 22. The statewide program will address topics such as domestic violence dynamics, stalking, lethality, victim-centered practices, perpetrator accountability, investigation, prosecution, Nebraska law, and coordinated community response. The Domestic Abuse Death Review Team was created by the Legislature in 2022 to study domestic violence fatalities and recommend changes aimed at improving victim safety and preventing future deaths.
The 2026 Domestic Abuse Death Review Team Annual Report and accompanying Fact Sheet are available on the Attorney General’s domestic violence webpage, where you can also learn more about the DADRT and Nebraska’s domestic violence initiatives, register for the training series, and view additional information.
