If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TTY 1-800-437-1220. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
About 40 people gathered Tuesday afternoon in downtown Bangor in remembrance of a woman killed last week in a suspected domestic violence homicide.
Virginia Cookson, 39, died Sept. 25 at her home on Larkin Street in Bangor. Her ex-boyfriend, Richard Keith Thorpe, 42, is charged with intentional or knowing or depraved indifference murder in Penobscot County Superior Court.
Cookson was loved by many people and she still has a voice through those people, her friend Penny Millner said. Cookson was outgoing and incredibly generous, Millner said.
The group, which included numerous people wearing shirts depicting a photo of Cookson, marched through downtown Bangor. Members held signs about the danger of domestic violence and about Thorpe’s criminal record.
The group stopped outside the Penobscot County Jail, where Thorpe is incarcerated. Millner, through tears, talked about how she needed Thorpe to know Cookson had friends and family who cared about her.
“Virginia was loved by so many people,” Millner said.
The march was organized by Finding Our Voices, a nonprofit designed to raise awareness of the dangers of domestic violence.
Thorpe was sentenced in January 2021 to nearly five years for domestic violence aggravated assault. He was fully released from custody of the Maine Department of Corrections on July 2.
People held signs and questioned why Thorpe was released from prison early, despite having previous criminal convictions. Thorpe’s criminal history includes felony charges that prohibit him from possessing guns, according to his 44-page criminal record requested by the Bangor Daily News.
Thorpe was released from prison in February to be part of the Supervised Community Confinement Program, which multiple people attending the march believe should not include people with violent offenses.
Darcia Maney, the woman Thorpe abused leading to his conviction in 2021, attended the march because she was devastated to hear Cookson was allegedly killed by Thorpe. It was great to see that many people attend the march, Maney said.
“We’re all here for her,” Maney said. “That’s what it’s about. Everybody’s here for her.”
Partners for Peace, a domestic violence resource center, attended in honor of Cookson, Director of Development & Engagement Casey Faulkingham said. The non-profit offers the only confidential helpline in the community at 1-800-863-9909 as well as support for families and friends affected. It also provides support groups, shelters and more.
Court records show Thorpe allegedly attempted to strangle Cookson about a week before her death.
“Strangulation is a huge high risk indicator for domestic violence and domestic violence homicide,” Faulkingham said.
“When strangulation occurs, it’s really important that person get the medical support that they need, and also the safety planning support that they need. Because they are at a very high risk of domestic violence homicide.”
