Sony Millbrook was a mother of five children. Her body was found stuffed in a hotel room bed frame, where she and her children were staying. The hotel was a Budget Lodge in Mason, Tennessee. Her child's father, LaKeith Moody, was also staying with her at the time of her disappearance.

Millbrook's family reported the young woman missing on January 27th, when she didn't pick her children up from school

"On that day, the hotel locked the room out because of lack of payment," Major Joe Scott with the Memphis Police Department said.

After locking the room, the hotel staff put Millbrook's belongings in storage and cleaned the room. All the while, her body was under a bed in room 222 as a total of five different guests stayed in the room before the body was found.

"Hotel staff reported to management there's something wrong in this room," said Scott, but it was obviously ignored.

As in many such cases, eyes of suspicion were placed on the father of Millbrook's children, who was under an order of protection to stay away from her. The father, Moody, was missing for a few weeks during Millbrook's disappearance until he was arrested for driving Millbrook's car.

"He had recently gotten out of jail and was staying with her at the Budget Lodge," Scott said.

Moody is the only person of interest in the case thus far, and was one of the last to see Millbrook before her disappearance. He is currently in jail on an unrelated warrant, accused of being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.

The saddest part of the story about Sony Millbrook is that her children no longer have their mother. They are going to be scarred for life over an incident that might have been avoided. I am not sure of the nature of Millbrook's relationship with Moody, but there is a good chance that it was a violent one.

According to HelpGuide.org, here are some signs that you might be in an abusive relationship:
Does your partner:

Have a bad and unpredictable temper?

Hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

Threaten to take your children away or harm them?

Threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

Force you to have sex?

Destroy your belongings?


If you find yourself on the receiving end of abusive behavior, don't tolerate it any further. Get the help you need. The domestic violence hot line is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Also, here are some quick tips on getting out of an abusive relationship:

1) Call for help: Call 911 if you feel you are in danger. Wait until your partner leaves for several hours and then hire movers or find friends to help you get out. Request police presence if necessary.

2) Don't tell your partner where you are staying: If you feel that your partner might be prone to violence, then you may want to consider staying at a domestic violence shelter.

3) Tell your friends and family: If your receptionist knows what's going on, he/she can divert calls your partner may make to your job. Your best friend can keep you busy on the weekends. Your mother can invite you to dinner on your anniversary to help take your mind off things.

4) Stay away from your partner: You may still love the person you're leaving, but you've got to realize that love shouldn't hurt. The more you communicate, the more you open the doors for attachment and poor decisions.

5) Document the abuse: If you have hospital records, 911 calls, witnesses and specific dates and times, this can help you in divorce or custody proceedings. Remember: others may not believe your stories of abuse, so you have to make sure there's evidence.



Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.