Mass. Domestic Violence Homicides Jump Nearly 20% to Five-Year High, State Report Finds

There was an alarming increase in domestic violence-related deaths in Massachusetts in 2024, according to a new report from The State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.

Five-Year High for Domestic Homicides in Massachusetts

"Domestic violence-related manslaughter and murder cases increased nearly 20 percent here in 2024, rising to the highest number in at least five years," reported State House News Service.

The State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team's Annual Report 2025 stated, "In 2024, there were 26,297 domestic violence incidents reported to law enforcement in Massachusetts."

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"These offenses pertain to individuals such as spouses, intimate partners, children, and other family members," according to the report. "Aggravated assault charges include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and assault on a pregnant woman."

Report: Massachusetts Domestic Violence-Related Deaths Spike

Mixed Trends: Assaults Decline as Severe Crimes Surge

According to the findings, "Domestic violence-related crime rates declined in several categories in 2024." Aggravated assaults were down 0.77 percent and simple assaults decreased by 0.21 percent.

However, "Domestic violence-related crime rates increased in several categories in 2024."

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter increased by 19.23 percent, kidnapping/abduction by 0.32 percent, and intimidation by 8.04 percent.

Report: Massachusetts Domestic Violence-Related Deaths Spike

The Limits of Law Enforcement Data on Coercive Control

"Law enforcement data, frequently focused on isolated incidents, provides limited information on the broader context of abuse, including but not limited to economic control, emotional abuse, and coercive control," the report said.

SHNS reported, "The State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team exists within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to look for ways to decrease preventable domestic violence fatalities."

According to the report, 2024 saw 31 cases of domestic violence-related murder and non-negligent manslaughter, 309 kidnappings/abductions, 6,025 aggravated assaults, 16,532 simple assaults, and 3,400 cases of intimidation among family members.