Calls for Justice and Unity at Emotional Vancouver Vigil for Slain Mother and Daughter
A vigil was held in Vancouver for Meshay Melendez and her daughter Layla Stewart, whose bodies were found at the bottom of a steep slope of a roadside embankment in Washougal. Melendez's boyfriend, Kirkland Warren, was arrested in connection with their disappearance. Warren was charged in a 2017 Arkansas homicide but posted bail pending trial. He was also released from jail on March 8 after posting bail for shooting at Melendez's apartment in December. Warren was not given a GPS ankle bracelet, which could have warned victims and police when an abuser is near. Officials called for more action to ensure that domestic abuse victims who are at high risk are required to have an ankle monitoring device if released.