San Antonio, TX - The devastating killings of 18-year-old Savanah Soto, who was pregnant with her son Fabian, and her 22-year-old boyfriend Matthew Guerra continue to reverberate throughout the community, leaving many grieving and concerned about the issue of domestic violence.

According to court records, Guerra, who was found deceased alongside Soto, had previously been on probation for assaulting her on Christmas Day the previous year. However, ongoing police investigations suggest that Guerra may have also been a victim of homicide.

Elizabeth Rejino, a survivor of domestic violence herself, expressed her heartbreak over Soto's tragic death. Rejino emphasized that leaving an abusive relationship can be a difficult and complex process, stating, "There's protective orders in place, and charges that have been filed... I've seen people go back: I always try to remind people never place blame on someone who goes back, because you don't know the reason they went back."

Rejino believes that the couple's turbulent history was an indication of escalating violence. She expressed her sorrow, remarking, "Regardless of what happened, she and her child were collateral damage...they got caught in the middle and they paid the ultimate price."

Despite the existence of a protective order against Guerra, family members of both Soto and Guerra reported that the couple seemed inseparable and appeared to be happy together. Former District Attorney Nico Lahood revealed that violations of protective orders between couples are unfortunately common, and the only way to remove them is for both parties to return to court.

Shocking figures emphasize the urgency of addressing domestic violence in Texas. Last year alone, 216 Texans lost their lives at the hands of their intimate partners, with 17 victims being killed during pregnancy, and 19 victims falling within the teenage and young adult range. Alberto Bustamante, program director with Family Violence Prevention Services, disclosed that incidents of domestic violence typically escalate by 20% during the holiday season.

It is distressing to note that Soto never sought help from organizations like Family Violence Prevention Services. Rejino expressed her sadness, saying, "Yeah, it's really sad because everyone's looking at it like, she's an adult, she's 18, that's just an age she's still a baby. She was so young, and she had so much potential, she had dreams and she had hopes and all those things. It's awful."

The tragic deaths of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra serve as a grim reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence. Advocates and community organizations are calling for increased awareness, support, and preventative measures to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent further loss of life.