It’s been a little over two years since Tiffany Lamar was found dead, one day before her 25th birthday, at her home at Plant City’s Woodbridge Apartments.
David Coleman, Tiffany Lamar’s boyfriend and the father of two of her children, was arrested and charged with second degree murder for her death.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, her family will be hosting the third annual “A Passion for Purple Walk” in her honor, as a way to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence.
Tiffany Lamar and Coleman had been together for about two years, but Coleman had been in and out of jail for most of their relationship. At that time, Coleman’s past was unknown to Tiffany Lamar’s family. They had only met him a handful of times, and referred to him as quiet and reserved.
The truth began to surface after Tiffany Lamar’s death.
“People came forward,” White said. “Neighbors and friends heard them fighting. If we knew any of this was going on, she wouldn’t have been with him.”
It’s the kind of story that makes hindsight 20/20, but is far from uncommon. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men have suffered some kind of physical violence or abuse by an intimate partner.
Most victims are female. In the United States, a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds. It’s another reason the Lamar family will continue to host the walk in Tiffany’s memory for as long as they can.
This year, the family has promoted the event on Facebook and received help from family friend Latrina Shaw. The walk had 20 people the first year and about 100 people last year.
“It’s in honor of anyone who has lost someone to domestic violence, or is going through that situation,” White said. “I don’t care if it’s just us walking, we are going to do it every year.”
Tiffany Lamar was part of a close-knit family. She lived in the same apartment complex as White, and the siblings gathered at the home of their mother, Janice Lamar, on Sundays. She had a steady job in the deli at Publix and cared for her three children: Jaylen, Amiyah and Anthony.
“If she wasn’t working, she was with her family,” Janice Lamar said.
“She was a hard worker, a great mother,” Latoya White, Tiffany Lamar’s sister, said. “She loved her kids.”
Since their mother’s death, the children have been sent to live with their fathers’ families.
Janice Lamar and Latoya White encourage victims of domestic violence to speak up, as well as family members.
“All they’ve got to do is just say something about it,” Janice Lamar said.
“I would have believed my sister,” White said. “We would have done everything in our power to get away from him.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
Third annual “A Passion for Purple Walk”
ABOUT: One-mile walk in remembrance of Tiffany Lamar to raise awareness for domestic violence victims. Food will be served, and a TV will be raffled off. The money raised from the event will go back into the walk for future years.
WHEN: 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
WHERE: 601 E. Laura St.
COST: Free to walk; $12 for t-shirts
DRESS: Wear purple to show support for domestic violence victims.
GET HELP
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.