BANGOR, Maine — A week after Bangor resident Virginia Cookson was killed, dozens in Bangor marched to honor her and protest against domestic violence on Tuesday.
Cookson was killed in her home on Larkin Street last week, and now her ex-boyfriend Richard Thorpe has been charged in connection with her death.
"Something has to change, something just has to change," Jolene Miles, a domestic violence survivor, said.
Survivors of domestic violence and friends and family of Cookson marched down Main Street, calling for justice.
"I’m here today to be Virginia’s voice," Darcia Maney said.
Maney is Richard Thorpe’s ex-wife. She said she and her children are still suffering after facing his abuse.
Maney said she felt anger and guilt after Cookson’s death.
"I survived this monster, and I feel like my purpose in life now is to be her voice and everybody else's," Maney said.
Thorpe was convicted of domestic violence in 2021. His criminal record shows he was supposed to be in prison until 2027 but was released earlier this year.
Maney said she wasn’t informed until after he was released and is outraged. She and many protestors are pushing against early release for convicted domestic abusers.
"And I'm not gonna stop, for her and my children, who had to sit and listen to their mother be beat for four months just to keep them alive," Maney said. "No, somebody is gonna pay. Somebody needs to answer and change."
Court documents show Cookson and Thorpe began dating in April and broke up shortly before her death.
Just days before Cookson was killed, family called to report that Thorpe showed up at her home and that Thorpe had recently threatened to kill her.
According to court records, Cookson was killed by strangulation.
Thorpe is now being held without bail.
At the protest, survivors of domestic violence encouraged others that there is hope.
"It's really hard to speak up because most people don't listen, don't believe, I think that, just keep speaking, keep talking, someone will hear you, speak out," survivor Dezarae Caron said.
Thorpe is being held at the Penobscot County Jail without bail. He will be back in court in November.
If you or someone you know if involved in an unsafe relationship, there is help available. Maine’s statewide domestic violence hotline can connect you with resources near you: 1-866-834-HELP.