Although Melissa Batten had been granted a restraining order against her husband on July 21, 2008, Joseph Batten shot and killed her in a parking lot on July 29, 2008.

According to Redmond, Washington police, Joseph Batten went to an apartment complex and confronted his estranged wife, Melissa Batten. She was leaving for work when Joseph Batten pulled out a 9 mm handgun and fired eight or nine times, killing her. Joseph Batten then pointed the gun at his own head and pulled the trigger, killing himself.SeattlePI.com: Husband's Rage Not Contained by Piece of Paper (August 1, 2008)