A woman with ties to Metro Detroit was murdered in South Carolina.

Jessica Barnes grew up in Troy before moving to Pendleton, South Carolina.

The 20-year-old was allegedly strangled by her husband, Brandon Barnes, in August.

Her body was found in a wooded area of ​​South Carolina on September 20.

Their two roommates were also arrested and charged with helping dispose of the body.

The victim’s mother, Cecilia Varvara, was in Michigan Friday, Oct. 11, for a vigil to honor the life cut short.

“I remember Jessica as bubbly, happy and energetic,” Varvara said.

Varvara said she wasn’t surprised when she learned what happened.

“I expected him to do something,” she said. “She was in a domestic violence situation and we tried to get her out of there.”

Varvara also lived in South Carolina, just five minutes from where her daughter lived with her husband and roommates.

Varvara is speaking out to raise awareness about domestic violence.

“This has to stop,” she said.

Brandon Barnes is charged with murder. Both roommates are charged with accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice and negligence in reporting a crime.