‘I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody’: Father of domestic violence victim speaks out

Quardreka Waldrop-Payne, generally known as “Dreka” by family and friends, was a free-spirited younger lady.

Her father, James Waldrop Sr., stated she had a ardour for poetry, images and most of all, her youngsters.  

“She beloved taking good care of her youngsters,” he stated. “She was excellent at that. She did nice at that half. She would be certain she gave them what she might – all of the love she might – so far as I do know, and when she was round all people it confirmed.”   

The 32-year-old mom was shot and killed on Sept. 29. Her 8-year-old son, Cael Thornton, was additionally killed within the capturing. Officers arrested Rickey J. Payne, who’s the daddy of Quardreka’s twins.

Extra:Husband arrested in reference to West Peoria capturing deaths of spouse, stepson

Quardreka and Cael’s visitation was deliberate for Oct. 10, with a celebration of life and memorial service the next day. Every are scheduled to be held in Mississippi, the place Quardreka’s household is.

Waldrop stated he knew about Quardreka and Rickey’s separation and stated his daughter had moved to Peoria over a 12 months in the past. Her brother, Eric Corridor, lives within the metropolis. Via the separation and transfer, Waldrop stated his daughter stored a lot of her struggles from the household.

“We didn’t find out about lots of the stuff that was occurring in her life, and she or he by no means actually talked about it,” Waldrop stated.

Now, Waldrop stated he and his household hope to maintain Quardreka and Cael’s reminiscences alive and lift consciousness about home violence.  

“Hate to see it maintain occurring again and again and no person attempt to do something,” he stated. “So, hopefully it will shed some gentle on it and possibly assist anyone else.”

‘All of them beloved her’

Quardreka was the mom of 4 youngsters. Her oldest, Zikeus Collier, is 14 years previous. Cael was 8, and she or he additionally had twins, Jermani and Jermia Payne. Waldrop stated she would deliver them to go to household throughout spring break annually.

Waldrop remembers Cael serving to him choose up sticks exterior on spring days. He stated Cael couldn’t wait to get right down to Mississippi to see his grandmother.

Cael wished to develop into a racecar driver someday, Waldrop stated.

“Cael was the lifetime of all people. He was simply lots of enjoyable,” Waldrop stated. “He was an actual good younger man, and all people was simply loopy about Cael as a result of he was such a candy baby, and he grew on you when he was round.”

He stated Cael helped his mom with Uber deliveries as Quardreka labored on prime of her earlier job to make extra cash for her household.

Extra just lately, Waldrop stated Quardreka was excited to begin a brand new job with OSF HealthCare.

“The folks we talked to, all of them beloved her as a result of they have been all loopy about her on the job,” He stated.

Whereas Quardreka was not within the space for very lengthy, Waldrop stated she made some robust connections with these locally. He thinks her smile and happiness stood out to these round her.

Corridor, Quardreka’s older brother, is now taking good care of Jermani and Jermia. Waldrop stated Quardreka made positive to fill out the paperwork to offer him custody if something occurred to her. A member of the family has additionally arrange a GoFundMe to boost cash to assist assist the ladies. To date, it has raised $6,950 from greater than 150 donations.

Waldrop stated folks within the Peoria group additionally got here collectively to assist Corridor collect provides to assist maintain the twins.

‘She knew anyone else was going by means of it’

Waldrop thinks Quardreka was making an attempt to assist others in related conditions.

After her demise, Waldrop stated his household discovered movies she created on social media. Her Fb and Tiktok have a few spoken poetry movies.

In a single, she says “and as a substitute of fixing me up, to assist me construct a greater basis / you simply smashed proper by means of me, with an absence of any justice or willpower.” On the Fb put up with the video, she inspired folks to “Attain out for assist if you happen to ever really feel too weak! I like y’all!!”

“What she was sharing on her video and stuff, that was a private factor that she was going by means of,” Waldrop stated, “and she or he knew anyone else was going by means of it too.”

Waldrop stated it was clear Quardreka “wished to say one thing,” however by no means did. For him, one of many saddest elements of the violence is that it may be perpetrated by somebody an individual is near – like a big different.

He stated it is very important search assist if a accomplice begins making threats. No matter worry brought on by the threats or disbelief, Waldrop stated it will be significant step to take as a result of the particular person “could observe by means of on it.”

“Folks don’t notice how a lot damage and ache it is going to trigger the entire household to must undergo one thing like this,” He stated. “I wouldn’t want this upon anyone else.”

Waldrop stated the dialog round home violence must proceed. He is aware of his daughter and grandson aren’t the one ones to die on account of home violence, however he hopes the messages she left and her story can be utilized to forestall the identical destiny for others.

“She didn’t get out of (her state of affairs) alive, however she left some issues that will assist different folks,” He stated.

The Illinois Division of Human Companies lists 1-877-863-6338 as a helpline for home violence. The road is confidential, free and operational 24/7. The nationwide Suicide and Disaster Lifeline could be reached at 988.

Join with Cassidy Waigand by emailing her at CWaigand@gannett.com or by following her on Twitter at @justxaxwriter.