RICHMOND, Va. -- "I just lost everything inside of me,” said Carol Lee Robinson, Tameka Robinson’s sister.
More than four years have passed, and the death of Tameka Claiborne still weighs heavy on her family.
"It's hard because you have the pain to deal with the crying of the not knowing what she was actually going through,” said Robinson.
The 27-year-old was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in July of 2010 inside of a South Richmond apartment the two shared.
Miles away, Tameka's 3-year-old son was found wandering in the parking lot of a Chesterfield apartment complex when Tameka's family reported her missing.
Days later, her body was discovered in the James River in Charles City County.
Tameka's boyfriend Michael Solomon was arrested and charged with her murder. He eventually pleaded guilty to the crime.
"I lost my sister not talking about what she was going through,” said Robinson. “Not conversating or communicating about it.”
Valentine's Day is symbolic for Tameka's sister Carol. It was the last day she saw her alive.
"When I saw her with a black eye -- I had asked her what happened to her and she said nothing,” said Robinson.
Carol says when she continued to question Tameka, the guy with her insisted for them to go.
"I just feel like if I would've stopped at that moment and took a little time to see what's going on with her,” said Robinson. “Then, I would haven't have lost her.”
Which is why Carol wants to bring more awareness to domestic violence through a play called “The Tee,” in which local actors portray the real life drama on stage at the Trinity Life center?
And, Tameka's family is hoping the message here will resonate for other victims.
"Abuse needs to stop here. It needs to be recognized in families when you see someone going through it. Don't turn your head. Talk to them about it. Help them out,” said Robinson.
Carol says the family is holding up the best they can. But, Tameka’s son, who is now 7, is still traumatized by the tragedy.
Investigators believe he witnessed his mother being murdered. Tameka’s boyfriend Michael Solomon is serving a 40-year prison sentence as part of his plea deal of second degree murder.
