In a heartbreaking turn of events, the family of Ashley Prince, who was gunned down last week alongside her husband, attorney Dennis Prince, by her ex-father-in-law, is speaking out about the tragedy, highlighting the potential preventability of the situation. The parents of Ashley, Paul and Julie Page, released a statement earlier this week shedding light on their daughter's constant fear for her safety and her children's wellbeing.

Ashley, aged 30, was attending a child custody deposition at her husband's law firm in Las Vegas when shots were fired. The shooter, identified as Joe Houston II, 77, took the lives of both Ashley and Dennis before turning the gun on himself. Ashley had been representing herself alongside her new husband during the custody battle with her ex-husband, Dylan Houston. The custody dispute involved their two young children and had been ongoing for several years.

The Page family disclosed that Ashley lived in constant fear, enduring verbal abuse, mental anguish, and threats from her former husband, Dylan. They stated that she received up to 70 threatening text messages per day from him. Some of the alleged messages included chilling statements such as "I'll chisel you down to a weaker and worthless sack of bones" and "I don't want to see you unless you're in a casket." Ashley's parents revealed that she had sought a restraining order against Dylan to protect herself.

The Pages made it clear that despite Ashley's unwavering dedication to her children's wellbeing, her efforts were tragically cut short by the violent acts committed in the courtroom. They expressed their deep sorrow, mentioning that Ashley's fight for her children's safety had come to a devastating end.

Following the incident, a motion was filed for temporary custody of Dylan and Ashley's children to be granted to Ashley's sister. The Pages emphasized their cooperation with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in their ongoing investigation and their determination to secure full custody of their grandchildren.

Dennis Prince's funeral was held on Tuesday, where the Prince family requested that contributions be made to The Shade Tree, a nonprofit organization that supports victims of domestic violence, and the Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys, in honor of Dennis's philanthropic legacy.

In response to the tragedy, the Houston family, in a statement provided to FOX 5 News, expressed their shock and grief, highlighting their hope to focus on the needs of the children and refraining from engaging in public accusations. They stated their belief in Dylan's dedication as a father and his commitment to the welfare of his children.

Fox News Digital reached out to Dylan Houston for comment, but no response has been received thus far.

This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address issues of domestic abuse and ensure the safety of those caught in its grasp. The key focus remains on protecting the children involved and working towards a future where such tragic events become a thing of the past.