HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Domestic violence experts warn that homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.

Then they ring the alarm A Schofield soldier charged with murdering his pregnant wife.

Mischa Johnson was six months pregnant when she disappeared. The Army charged her husband, Schofield Barracks soldier Dewayne Johnson, with murder, premeditated murder of her unborn child, obstruction of justice and possession of child pornography.

In 2014, 27-year-old Charli Scott, who was expecting a baby boy in Maui, disappeared and only her jawbone was found.

Her killer, ex-boyfriend Steven Capobianco, is serving a life sentence for the murder.

“Homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women in the United States. Monique Ibarra, CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Center, said 50 to 75 percent of women who are abused during pregnancy will continue to be abused after giving birth.

In 2022, Harvard researchers found that pregnant women were more likely to be killed during pregnancy or soon after birth than to die from the top three causes of maternal death, high blood pressure, hemorrhage, or sepsis.

“Women are vulnerable to intimate partner violence in general, but when you add pregnancy, there are an increased amount of stressors in relationships that can trigger the abuser,” Ibarra said.

Ibarra says help is available and urges pregnant women to talk to their doctors.

“Healthcare providers are not mandated reporters if someone discloses that they are experiencing domestic violence,” Ibarra said.

“Healthcare providers are generally very good at screening and asking these questions,” he added.

Domestic Violence Action Center helplines

• Oahu: (808) 531-3771
• Toll Free: (800) 690-6200
• Text: (605) 956-5680

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