THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - The brutal murder of a Thomasville woman was apparently the result of domestic violence.
52-year old Shirley Knight was stabbed several times Thursday inside her bookkeeping office.
As we reported to you in a breaking new e-mail alert her husband was arrested in Cordele just a few hours after her body was discovered.
Murder suspect William Knight stood before a Magistrate Judge Friday afternoon to hear the charges against him.
He's charged with stabbing his wife, Shirley Knight, to death Thursday.
Investigators say the Knights were going through a divorce.
"From what we understand there is history as far as domestic between the victim and the suspect in another county," said Lt. Eric Hampton.
Shirley Knight's murder happened less than 24 hours before a Domestic Violence awareness event in Thomasville.
"We're recognizing awareness. Trying to recognize the signs anyway we can to prevent another fatality like this," said Veterinarian Becky Malphus.
The Halcyon Home for Battered Women hopes victims of domestic abuse will remove themselves from dangerous relationships.
"If there was anyone that recognized a person that was in trouble or yourself is in trouble and needs help, there is a toll free number to call. The Halcyon Home," said Malphus.
Malphus says there are frequent warning signs. "Domestic Violence can possibly be recognized at an early stage because a lot of time it starts with an animal abuse or neglect first."
And they hope all victims of violence will take action to protect themselves.
Knight was pulled over driving his wife's Mercedes Benz. He remains in the Thomas County Jail without bond.
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Lt. Eric Hampton
Becky Malphus
William Knight
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