Apr. 3, 2026 11:45a
(WGTD)---Makayla Plaza was more knowledgeable that most people about the issue of domestic violence.
The 28 year-old Kenosha woman who was murdered allegedly by her estranged husband was a former employee of Women and Children's Horizons, the Kenosha shelter and advocacy group for abused individuals and their children.
Makayla was employed as an advocate between fall of 2023 and August of 2024, according to the organization's executive director, Susan Sippel.
Makayla was fatally stabbed in her 22nd Ave. home early Wednesday morning. Marckus Plaza was arrested a day later and has been charged with 1st Degree Intentional Homicide. He's due to appear in court Monday afternoon.
Makayla had sought a restraining order against Marckus, but later moved to withdraw it, checking boxes indicating that she believed she was no longer in danger and that she hadn't been pressured to change her mind. The form, with her signature, had been notarized by a Kenosha court employee.
A court commissioner approved the request Feb. 9th.
Makayla's story is reminiscent of a 2013 case in northeast Wisconsin where the interim director of a shelter for abused women was killed by her male partner.
"Nobody's immune from domestic violence," Sippel said.
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