Shawntae Brown, 34, died in the arms of her teenage daughter following a horrifying 24-hour assault at the hands of her partner, Joshua Brown. Joshua Brown was sentenced last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole, five years after the murder that shocked the Oklahoma City community.
Aleisha Brown, who was 15 at the time of her mother’s death, recalled the final moments she shared with her mother, describing the heartbreak and trauma she endured. “She told me she loved me. I kind of feel selfish that I feel this way, but I am glad that she died in my arms. It is somewhat comforting to me,” Aleisha said, reflecting on the tragedy that marked the end of her childhood and the beginning of a long journey of healing.
Court records and Aleisha’s account reveal the horrifying nature of the assault. Over a period of two days in September 2020, Joshua Brown violently attacked Shawntae with various objects, including a belt, a shoe, and a flagpole. The assault left Shawntae with severe contusions and lacerations across her body. Following the beating, Joshua forced his three children, including Aleisha, to clean up the blood and damage in the family home.
Aleisha spoke candidly about the long-term effects of the abuse she and her siblings witnessed. She acknowledged that her father had displayed some caring behavior over the years, making it difficult for her to reconcile the man he appeared to be with the violent reality of that fatal night. “I think back and I am like, okay, well, I still see signs. I still see things that happened back then that maybe I was just too young and my mother was trying to hide from us and did not want us to know. So a part of me still thinks he was a good father, but then I wonder how much of that was real and how much was my mother just trying to portray him like that to me?” she said.
The 24-hour attack ended when Joshua called emergency services. Paramedics arrived to find Shawntae unresponsive and declared her dead in front of her children. The traumatic scene left lasting scars on the family, particularly Aleisha, who witnessed her mother’s final moments.
Now 20 years old and studying media and communications at university, Aleisha reflects on the lessons of resilience and love that her mother instilled. She described Shawntae as selfless, compassionate, and devoted, and she hopes to honor her mother’s memory by embodying those same qualities in her own life. “I hope to show her selflessness, her love, and her passion. She was just the best mom, and I could say this over and over, but she really was,” Aleisha said.
Experts note that cases like Shawntae’s highlight the dangers of domestic abuse and the importance of early intervention. Domestic violence often escalates over time, with children witnessing or experiencing the trauma alongside the direct victim. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, with long-lasting emotional, psychological, and physical consequences for survivors and their families.
The sentencing of Joshua Brown brings some measure of justice to the family, though Aleisha acknowledges that no punishment can undo the trauma they endured. Her hope is that sharing her story will raise awareness about domestic violence and encourage others to seek help or intervene when they suspect abuse.
Shawntae Brown’s tragic death and Aleisha’s courage in recounting the ordeal underscore the devastating impact of domestic violence and the need for greater societal awareness and systemic protections for victims. As Aleisha continues her studies and builds her future, she carries her mother’s love and resilience with her, determined to honor her memory and advocate for a world where others do not endure the same horrors.
Comments
Post a Comment