TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Police are looking for Juan Blanco, who was charged with a second degree murder in the death of his girlfriend Jackie Littrell.
[ Arrest warrant issued months after a Tulsa woman’s death ruled a homicide ]
Littrell’s death was ruled a homicide in July. An affidavit said Littrell went to the hospital June 3, saying that her boyfriend punched her in the stomach. At the time, the affidavit did not name her boyfriend.
The affidavit said Jackie’s injuries ranged from laceration of the spleen, abscesses, to a pulmonary embolism.
Littrell died at the hospital July 11 because of her injuries and the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.
The affidavit said investigators spoke to Littrell’s family, who said they were aware that she was in an abusive relationship with Juan Blanco for more than a year. The affidavit also said that Littrell would would regularly show up to family gatherings with bruises.
According to the affidavit, Littrell reported the abuse to police in February, with the affidavit saying “it should be noted that Juan has shown a history of domestic abuse against Jackie that has progressively got worse.”
Tracey Lyall is the CEO of Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc (DVIS). She said Littrell’s case brings her sadness.
“When we see something like this, where somebody’s been killed, the first thing I think about is ‘did they know about us?’ Did they know that we were here to help?’,” Lyall said.
[ Bixby man arrested for kidnapping and beating woman ]
Lyall said Tulsa is the worst county for domestic violence in the entire state.
“We’re about a 20 year high for domestic violence incidents in Tulsa,” she said.
In 2020, Tulsa County had the highest domestic violence rate in Oklahoma and 13 out of every 1,000 residents reported abuse, according to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s latest data.
But those numbers come from only reported incidents, and Tulsa Police Captain Richard Meulenberg said some victims, never come forward.
“We understand it’s very difficult for people are in a long or short term relationship with people, they have difficulty coming forward when they’re abused,” he said.
Meulenberg said it’s vital for victims to report abuse to help with police investigations.
“People if they wait to long to tell us, they’re really subjecting themselves to some real danger in there,” he said.
He said this case is sad, and no one should be put in that position.
If you’re experiencing domestic violence you can reach out to DVIS via their website, 24/7 hotline number or text line that is open from 8 p.m. to 1.a.m.
The DVIS 24/7 hotline number is 918-743-5761.
To access the text line, text ‘SAFE’ to 207-777.