Shining her daughter’s light

TereseAnn Lynch Moore was a veteran who served three tours overseas. She was a young mother from the West Des Moines area who proudly fought for her country.

It was on Veteran’s Day 2009 when TereseAnn fought the greatest battle of her life. She was kidnapped at gunpoint from a Target parking lot by her estranged husband Randall Moore, taken to his apartment and murdered Nov. 11, 2009.

TereseAnn was just a few weeks shy of her 31st birthday.

It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Rural Iowa Crisis Center held a candlelight vigil for the victims of domestic violence Tuesday night at Salem Lutheran Church. More than 30 people were in attendance.

Sheila Lynch, mother of TereseAnn, was the keynote speaker during the service.

“You can shine your light and extend a helping hand by simply offering a listening ear to your family members, your neighbors, your friends, your coworkers,” Sheila said. “Instead of dismissing those little butterflies in your stomach, ask that person you’re wondering about if they need help. Ask them if they’re being hurt.”

TereseAnn’s story

When TereseAnn married Randall, no one in her family really liked him. During the course of the marriage, TereseAnn became closed off from her family members. Randall liked to have complete control over his wife.

The one bright spot for TereseAnn was the birth of her son Levi.

Finally, TereseAnn left her husband and got a restraining order against him Oct. 12, 2009. By this time, she was living in fear that Randall would kill her, Levi or members of her family.

For the majority of her speech Tuesday, Sheila referred to Randall as “the monster.”

Once TereseAnn was away from her husband, Sheila said her daughter started to return to her happy, normal self. She was picking up the pieces of her life.

TereseAnn didn’t know her estranged husband was following her.

On that horrific day in November, the entire Lynch family received text messages from Randall stating her had kidnapped TereseAnn and she would be dead soon.

“I had the Urbandale Police Department on my cell phone on speed dial, just in case, and I was one of the first people that called the Urbandale police,” Sheila said. “It was a very strange call telling that I was from Texas and my daughter was in Urbandale, Iowa, and really needed help as fast as they could get it to her.”

Soon after, Sheila’s son called her. The son had spoken to Randall, and he told him what he had done to TereseAnn, in the most vicious terms possible.

Worst nightmare

Then, Sheila received a phone call from Randall.

“He described it,” Sheila said as her voice broke with emotion.

Sheila’s worst fears were soon confirmed when she saw the news coverage on the Internet.

However, Randall didn’t get away with the atrocities he committed against his estranged wife.

He was sentenced to two life sentences without parole for the kidnapping and murder of TereseAnn, and an additional 25 years for the attempted murder of a police officer.

Sheila said she will never forget the judge during the sentencing.

“The judge said he would probably get in trouble for what he said, but he said that he knew that there was mercy for everyone, but if there was an exception to the rule, it was Randy,” she said. “He showed no remorse for what he’d done. He even said that he’d do it over again, and next time he’d get away with it. So, I’m glad he’s where he is. He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

Speaking out

TereseAnn’s death has spurred Sheila into action. She has since moved back to Iowa and lives in Nevada.

Sheila is now a public speaker against domestic violence, and has completed training to become a victim’s advocate.

Her words won’t bring back her daughter, but they are helping others.

In Feb. 2010, Iowa adopted a new firearms law that prevents individuals who have been convicted of domestic abuse or who have a protection order filed against them from possessing firearms.

The Lynch family was instrumental in making this law go into effect.

Help others

Sheila’s message is a simple one — let victims of domestic violence know there is help out there. The public should make sure the appropriate services and systems are available to those in need, and how to direct people to them.

Sheila believes if people think someone is in danger, they should speak out, seek help and know that abusers use the tactic of isolation on their victims.

For her mother, TereseAnn continues to share her life with the world in a different way. Sheila said, her daughter is light, peace, love and everything good that’s in the world.

“The struggle and the war for her is over. She’s at peace,” Sheila said. “It’s the rest of us who have to continue the battle, to continue the war for her.”

At the end of her speech, Sheila received a standing ovation.