JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Justice has been served for a Jacksonville family, two years after a beloved mother was tragically killed by her husband.
A Jacksonville jury has found 43-year-old Eugene Anderson guilty of manslaughter in the 2022 death of his wife, 42-year-old Velvet Brown-Anderson.
Police said Eugene Anderson killed his wife in a “domestic dispute” on Nov. 24, 2022.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for next week.
Family members told News4JAX that Brown-Anderson died on Thanksgiving Day. However, her body wasn’t discovered until the following Friday in the Edgewood Manor neighborhood after a man called police.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the man who contacted authorities was later identified as both a person of interest and the primary suspect in her death.
Detectives said that “a review of all the available evidence, as well as interviews conducted by detectives,” led them to identify Eugene Anderson as the suspect.
Related: Husband charged with manslaughter in Thanksgiving Day death of beloved Jacksonville mom | Candlelight vigil honors mother of 2 found dead after ‘domestic dispute’
The medical examiner determined Brown-Anderson died from asphyxiation. She had been crushed, which ultimately prevented her from breathing.
“Nobody deserves to die like this,” said Roger Wright, the father of one of Brown-Anderson’s daughters. “We share a daughter together. I’m going to be a voice for my daughter.”
“They have a long history of domestic violence,” said Wright. “It’s a very toxic relationship.”
“I was also hearing they were having problems here and there, arguing a lot,” said Tamra Jordan, a friend of Velvet.
RELATED: Nearly 9,000 cases reported each year: JSO, Hubbard House bring awareness to domestic violence
Also, when describing Velvet, Jordan said, “She was so humble.”
If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, here’s a list of resources available:
- 24/7 Hubbard House Hotline at (904) 354-3114 or Textline at (904) 210-3698. Survivors can also make an appointment or walk into the Hubbard House Outreach Center at 6629 Beach Blvd, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Hubbard House services are free and confidential.
- The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
- The Micah’s Place (Nassau County) Domestic Violence Help Hotline is 904-225-9979.
- The Quigley House (Clay County) hotline is 904-284-0061. https://www.quigleyhouse.org/. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s free services are available at 904-529-4081.
- The Betty Griffin Center (St. Johns County) can be reached at 904-824-1555.
