2026 Domestic Abuse Death Review Team Annual Report

Today, the Nebraska Domestic Abuse Death Review Team (DADRT), in partnership with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, issued its 2026 Annual Report. 

In 2022, the Legislature passed the Domestic Abuse Death Review Act to examine domestic abuse deaths. The Act created the Domestic Abuse Death Review Team, a multidisciplinary team that works to provide recommendations for public, private, community, and system improvements to enhance victim safety and prevent future domestic abuse fatalities. 

From July 21, 2022, through December 31, 2025, the DADRT identified 89 domestic abuse-related victim deaths. The DADRT completed 41 comprehensive case reviews involving 46 victims. In 2025 alone, 30 deaths were identified, and the state experienced more intimate partner murder-suicides than in 2023 and 2024 combined.

The report emphasizes the impact of domestic violence on children: 32 were present when a parent or caregiver was murdered, 10 were killed by a family member, and more than 80 were directly affected by domestic abuse deaths.

In the cases that DADRT reviewed, only one victim had contact with a domestic violence program in the year before their death. Family members knew about prior violence in 74% of cases, while friends knew in 65%, illustrating the significance of recognizing abuse and safely connecting victims with resources.

The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office is thankful for the work of the DADRT and professionals across Nebraska to support victims and learn from these tragedies to prevent future deaths.

The report also highlights a free, five-session virtual training series developed by DADRT and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. The 2026–2027 series will cover domestic abuse, stalking, lethality, survivor-centered practices, perpetrator accountability, investigation, prosecution, Nebraska law, and coordinated community response.

The first training, Understanding the Landscape: Dynamics, Stalking, & Survivor-Centered Practice, will be held October 22, 2026. Additional sessions will be offered January 21, April 22, July 29, and September 23, 2027.

The 2026 Domestic Abuse Death Review Team Annual Report and accompanying Fact Sheet are available on the Attorney General’s domestic violence webpage, where you can also learn more about the DADRT and Nebraska’s domestic violence initiatives, register for the training series, and view additional information.