No Escape: The Murder of Brittney Lavoll (Flashback)

Every once in a while, a case we’ve covered comes back to us in a way that reminds us why we tell these stories in the first place. Our latest Swing Shift episode revisits the murder of Brittney Lavoll, a devoted mother of three whose life was stolen by an abusive former partner despite her doing everything she could to stay safe.

Recently, we heard from someone we never expected: Brittney’s middle son, now nineteen. He was only three years old when his mother was murdered. As he told us, he has spent years trying to understand not just what happened to her, but who she was as a person. When he found our episode, hearing her story clearly and chronologically helped fill in some of the gaps left behind by trauma, court records, and years of unanswered questions.

He shared with us that he and his brothers were surrounded by family who kept Brittney’s memory alive—especially their grandmother, Mechele, who became a vocal advocate in Nevada. Her work was featured in public reports on domestic violence shootings and in a 2016 Las Vegas Sun op-ed urging stronger protections for survivors. She became a force in the fight for sensible firearm legislation and a reminder of the long-term impact gun violence has on families who must rebuild their lives from the ground up.

What stayed with us most was something simple he said about his mother: She loved Christmas.
That detail—warm, human, and so personal—made it clear that now, during the holidays, was the right time to revisit Brittney’s story. These months are especially difficult for families who have lost loved ones to violence. A season that should be filled with celebration becomes a reminder of everything that should still be here.

We won’t spoil the episode here, but Brittney’s case reveals a painful truth: even when a survivor does everything right—leaving the relationship, changing jobs, moving homes, protecting her children—the system can still fail to protect her. Brittney’s story became a focal point for conversations around domestic violence, stalking, firearm access, and the gaps in policy that continue to put survivors at risk.

This Swing Shift episode honors Brittney’s memory, amplifies her family’s strength, and shares the update that gave her story new weight: her children are growing into young men who are striving, healing, and finding their way in the world. That matters. It matters because these aren’t just cases. They’re families. And those families are still living with the consequences long after the headlines disappear.

To hear the full episode and our Swing Shift discussion, visit:
sinspod.co/103

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Brittney deserved so much more time. Her sons deserved to grow up with their mother. And we will continue to tell her story—and others like it—with the respect, accuracy, and care they deserve.