A mother of four who was allegedly killed by her husband had previously sought protection from him just days before the fatal incident, according to court proceedings. Jeri Mains, aged 44, was discovered shot to death in her Indiana residence on December 28, shortly after filing for a protective order against her husband, Cecil Mains, on Christmas Day. Cecil Mains, 46, had a history of terrorizing and abusing Jeri Mains in front of their four children, aged 19, 17, 14, and 10, leading her to seek legal protection on December 25.
Despite her efforts, Jeri Mains’ request for a protective order was not processed due to court closures during Christmas, and tragically, her daughter dialed 911 to report her mother’s death over the weekend. Media outlet WRTV revealed that Jeri Mains had detailed in the petition her experience as a victim of domestic violence, citing an assault by her husband involving kitchen tongs on Christmas Eve that caused injuries.
The petition also outlined previous incidents, including one on December 10 where Cecil Mains allegedly punched a computer during an argument, resulting in hot chocolate spilling over Jeri Mains. Moreover, he was accused of punching her in the face during a November altercation, causing a nosebleed and facial bruising. In another incident earlier in the year, he reportedly damaged the window of her truck by punching it.
There were claims that he had threatened to harm their children and pets on multiple occasions. Following the shooting incident that took Jeri Mains’ life in front of their children, Cecil Mains is facing preliminary charges of murder. Their 10-year-old daughter reported the incident, stating that her father shot her mother before fleeing in a gray Toyota Tundra.
Jeri Mains was found critically injured and later succumbed to her wounds at Eskenazi Hospital. Cecil Mains was apprehended by law enforcement a few miles away from their residence after being seen driving by Officer Daniel Beasley. He is currently held without bond at Marion County Jail, while the children are under the care of relatives as they mourn the loss of their mother.
The family is devastated by the tragic events, with reporter Nicole Griffin from WRTV stating that they remember Jeri Mains as a woman who deeply cherished her friends and family.