Murder victim's family speaks out, joins stand against domestic violence - KHON2

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The only son of Heather Rosa Tuiolosenga, the Hawaii woman murdered in California on Monday, says his mom "shined."

Ikaika Rosa wants to celebrate his mother's life, and not focus on her tragic death.

Heather Rosa was 47-years-old when she was murdered, an apparent victim of domestic violence.

She was stabbed to death, her husband remains hospitalized with self-inflicted wounds, facing a murder charge.

Rosa leaves behind a son Ikaika, who says his mom could change your life.

"She took a life and she made it beautiful and it was amazing, not too many people are like that. So, I'll hold on to that," Ikaika says.

If you want to know what domestic violence can do to a family.

"But I had to come to the realization that she ended her life as a victim. And now I'm a victim, and my nephew is a victim. And his children are victims because they are never going to know their grandmother. And we had plans you know, we had lots of plans," says Heather's sister, Kaleo Baginski.

Earlier this week I shaved my head in memory of Heather and as a symbolic gesture to end domestic violence.

Since then, I have gotten e-mails from as far away as Australia to Florida, New York City to Washington state in support of the stand against domestic violence, with many men shaving their heads.

Even Heather's nephews got into the head shaving to honor their Aunty.

Koa, Makoa, and Kainoa are all sporting new dos with a message.

"There is no place for it in this world. It's especially empowering to see men take a stand because most of the victims are victimized my men," Baginski says.

Raising awareness about domestic violence is something Heather's son Ikaika takes seriously.

"Some people like to joke about it, and some people talk about it. And maybe a few years ago I was one of those people. But you never really know until it hits home. And it's very possible. It's very real," he says.