In St. Paul, Minnesota, the life of Monique Saraya Robbins, a 28-year-old woman, was tragically cut short on February 26, 2020, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the critical need for robust Family Pathways to safety and support. Monique’s death is a poignant example of how intimate partner violence can shatter families and underscores the importance of community vigilance and intervention.
The Fatal Incident Unveiling Systemic Failures in Family Pathways
The events leading to Monique’s death unfolded in the early hours of February 26th. Disturbed by loud noises emanating from Monique’s apartment, concerned neighbors contacted the St. Paul Police Department. Their call reported a man forcibly dragging a woman’s body towards a vehicle, a horrific scene that painted a grim picture of violence within the confines of what should have been a safe home.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered DeMarea Clay, 24, standing near his vehicle. His initial account attempted to deflect responsibility, claiming Monique had suffered a seizure while showering and was experiencing a drug overdose. Despite his claims, Monique showed no pulse when officers initiated CPR before her urgent transport to a local hospital. Contrary to Clay’s assertions, toxicology reports revealed no drugs in Monique’s system. Instead, medical examinations uncovered extensive bruising and bleeding around her head and face, ultimately determining the cause of death as asphyxiation – a brutal act of violence.
Monique Saraya Robbins in a memorial image, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the importance of family pathways to safety.
A History of Violence and Missed Opportunities for Family Pathways Intervention
Further investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of domestic violence perpetrated by Clay. Just two weeks prior to Monique’s murder, Clay had been charged with domestic assault, leading to a Criminal Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO) mandating he stay away from Monique and her residence. This legal measure, intended to create a safe family pathway for Monique, was blatantly disregarded. This was not an isolated incident; Clay faced a previous domestic assault charge against Monique in September 2019, and police had responded to domestic disturbances at her apartment in August and November of the same year. These repeated incidents underscore a breakdown in family pathways to safety and justice for Monique.
Monique herself had confided in friends and family about Clay’s controlling behavior and credible threats against her life, even disclosing instances of strangulation. Driven by a mother’s instinct to protect her child and recognizing the imminent danger, Monique had recently made arrangements for her 8-year-old daughter to live with relatives, a heartbreaking decision highlighting her desperate attempt to create a safe family pathway for her child, even as her own was threatened. Alarmingly, Clay’s history of violence extended beyond Monique; a former girlfriend had previously obtained a protective order against him due to abuse, an order he was also charged with violating, although the charges were eventually dismissed.
Broken Family Pathways and the Lasting Impact
DeMarea Clay now faces charges of second-degree unintentional murder for the death of Monique Saraya Robbins. Monique’s tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the lethal reality of domestic violence and the urgent need to strengthen family pathways that offer protection, support, and justice for victims. Her legacy is survived by her young daughter, a poignant symbol of the generational impact of violence and the critical importance of fostering safe and healthy family pathways for all.
Thank you to Violence Free Minnesota for originally compiling this memorial.
