Habematolel Pomo citizen killed in domestic violence incident in California

Thursday, July 6, 2017  

The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake has started a fund to help the family of a citizen who was killed in a domestic violence incident.

Vanessa Yvette Niko, 35, died on June 30 at her home in Upper Lake, California. Authorities have charged Willy Tujays Timmons, 37, with her murder.

“The Habematolel of Upper Lake Tribe is deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely death of tribal member Vanessa Niko,” Chair Sherry Treppa told The Lake County News.

The tribe established The Vanessa Niko Memorial Fund at the Mendo Lake Credit Union, the paper reported. Donations will be used to help Niko's three children.

Timmons was arrested after a deputy from the Lake County Sheriff's Department witnessed him assaulting Niko, according to a press release.

Read More on the Story:
Habematolel tribe creates fund to help family of domestic violence victim (Lake County News 7/6)
Domestic dispute proves fatal (The Lake County Record Bee 7/4)
Man Assaults, Kills Woman in Upper Lake Home (FOX40 7/1)
Upper Lake woman killed in domestic fight (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 6/30)