WENTZVILLE, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News – BreAnna Johnson’s family says she was four months pregnant with twins when she was KILLED by the father of her children.

Johnson turned 28 on October 4.

“16 weeks pregnant with twins,” said Janette Giddens, BreAnna’s mother. “There were photos we shared with detectives of the brutal beatings she took from him.”

Wentzville police told KMOV they are looking to file additional charges against Johnson’s boyfriend, Darryl Tyson Jr., 39.

“She was shot five times in the back… He’s a coward for taking her away from her children,” explained Dr. Cynthia Bennett, CEO of Journey Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse (JADASA).

Johnson sought help from JADASA in the months leading up to her death.

“It was a dark day because she was a beautiful young woman. We were just trying to help her. It just felt like it was closing in on her,” Bennett said.

24 hours before the homicide, police were called to her Wentzville home for a domestic dispute. According to court documents, Tyson physically assaulted Johnson by “throwing a phone, hitting him in the head.”

“On October 31, my worst nightmare came true,” Giddens said. “It hurts that I won’t be able to wrap my arms around her, kiss her forehead, tell her I love her.”

Tyson remains in jail on charges associated with the attack on $500,000 cash-only bail.

Her mother says felony charges are on the way against Tyson for the deaths of her daughter and her two unborn twins. She hopes her daughter’s legacy will serve as a life lesson.

“The first red flag, don’t ignore it. Don’t think it’s going to get better,” Giddens said. “Never think it won’t happen to you. Never think about it because you never know.”

JADASA and the family are now calling on the state to pass BreAnna’s Law, which would create a registry for repeat domestic violence offenders.

Johnson is survived by his two sons, Messiah, 17 months, and Jeremiah, 6 months.

“It’s a wake-up call because BreAnna is one of too many,” Bennett said. “He should still be here today. She is forever 28.”

“Her boys. My grandchildren will never know, with only what we share with them, what an amazing loving and God-fearing mother they had,” Giddens said.

A GoFundMe was set up for the two boys who have to grow up without their mother.

JADASA provides services for victims of all types of domestic, sexual and stalking abuse. For more information and resources call 314-269-0100 or visit www.jadasa.org.

Victims can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).

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