Neighbor Says Tulsa Woman Reportedly Killed By Boyfriend Was Kind, Upbeat

Police said Stratton's ex-boyfriend killed her in front of her three children. They said 31-year-old Robert Tillotson then shot himself in the head, but he was alive when police arrived.

Sunday, October 26th 2014, 7:28 pm

By: News On 6

Neighbor Says Tulsa Woman Reportedly Killed By Boyfriend Was Kind, Upbeat

Tulsa police say domestic violence may be to blame for the 47th homicide of the year.

Friends and family of 32-year-old Beverly Stratton are still in shock after police said her ex-boyfriend shot and killed her in the home they shared.

"Beverly, she was so, so outgoing and always very [upbeat], no matter what situation no matter how she was feeling she always tried to keep that beautiful smile on her face,” neighbor Alesha Lawrence said.

Police said Stratton's ex-boyfriend -- 31-year-old Robert Tillotson -- was also found in the home near 45th Place North and Hartford. He shot himself in the head but was alive when police arrived.

Lawrence lives across the street.

"I had talked to them about 6 o'clock in the evening and nothing seemed out of the ordinary really,” Lawrence said. “The kids were playing outside and they were sitting in the living room."

10/25/2014 Related Story: Police: Tulsa Man Murders Mother Of Three, Tries To Kill Himself

Stratton's friends said the couple moved to Tulsa several years ago from California.

They say the two had been together for 11 years and shared a son, plus cared for Stratton's two sons from a previous marriage.

All three boys were home when the shooting happened; one of them called 911.

"I'm heartbroken and sad,” Lawrence said. “For whatever reason, they couldn't make it to where he would have to think he would have to do something like this in front of those children."

Court records show Tillotson has a history of domestic violence. He pleaded guilty in September to domestic assault-- an assault friends say--was the last straw for Stratton.

They said she told him it was over but let him stay in the home until he could get back to family in California.

It was a gesture of kindness that doesn't surprise Lawrence.

“You know, she treated my kids like they were her own,” she said. “If she wasn't working she'd watch my kids for me or pick them up from school. You know, kind of like what neighbors are supposed to do... like friends are supposed to do."

Lawrence said she'll miss her neighbor and friend every day.

“God must have needed her… needed her help," she said.

According to police, Stratton is the fifth woman murdered in domestic violence situations in Tulsa in the last month.