Des Moines Honors Domestic Violence Victims at Día de los Muertos
The ninth annual celebration, held at Carver Elementary, paired traditional observances with photographs of Iowans killed by domestic violence.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Violence
The Capitol Park Neighborhood Association partnered with Violence Free Iowa to hold its ninth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at Carver Elementary School in Des Moines. Violence Free Iowa displayed photographs of victims on a commemorative altar, and one family recognized their mother among those honored.
Why it matters
Violence Free Iowa's Domestic Violence Homicide Report counts at least 28 Iowans who died from domestic violence in the year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The event aims to keep those losses visible to the Des Moines community.
The Violence Free Iowa report records at least 28 domestic violence deaths statewide over the most recent year, with more than 20 children losing at least one parent. The figures are reported by the advocacy group, and the extraction does not specify case-level outcomes or prosecutions.
The players
Violence Free Iowa
A statewide advocacy organization that works to end domestic violence and publishes an annual homicide report tracking deaths in Iowa.
Capitol Park Neighborhood Association
A Des Moines neighborhood group that co-organized the ninth annual celebration with Violence Free Iowa.
The details
The celebration included traditional dancing, music, food, colorful altars and family activities. Violence Free Iowa paired victims' faces with the statistics, creating a memorial that visitors could view during the event.
Timeline
Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025: Period covered by the domestic violence homicide report.
Saturday, November 1, 2025: Des Moines Día de los Muertos celebration at Carver Elementary School.
Violence Trends
The annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report from Violence Free Iowa provides the yearly count that this celebration uses to frame its memorial. The 28 deaths reported for the latest period are the figures the event places beside victims' photographs.
Residents of Des Moines can attend community events like this one to learn about local resources for survivors. Violence Free Iowa provides domestic violence support and survivor services statewide.
The takeaway
Naming the people behind domestic violence statistics makes the scale of loss personal for a community. Residents who want to help can contact local advocacy groups to learn about survivor support.
Further reading
Explore more violence coverage in Des Moines.
More information
Find domestic violence resources and survivor support through Violence Free Iowa.
