BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — LaVentrice Denise Tolbert’s chilling premonition of her own death became a grim reality just two days after she urged her sister to prepare for her funeral. Tragically, it is believed that her boyfriend, Tony DeWayne Davis, shot the 40-year-old Tolbert before turning the weapon on himself.
The incident unfolded on September 24, when Birmingham police responded to reports of gunfire around 11:47 p.m. Upon arrival at a residence on Kiser Road, officers discovered Tolbert inside the home, where she was pronounced dead. Davis was found critically injured and later transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on September 26.
A preliminary investigation indicated that Davis shot Tolbert and subsequently took his own life. Family members were present during the incident but were unharmed.
A week before the tragedy, Tolbert met with her older sister, Monique Tolbert, for what would turn out to be a haunting conversation. Monique recalled that LaVentrice had broached the subject of her funeral, a topic most would shy away from. “She said, ‘When I leave, you will be the one to plan my funeral,’” Monique recounted. “She wanted me to be strong.”
Despite the unsettling nature of their conversation, the two sisters shared a heartfelt hug at Birmingham’s Top Golf, where they both worked. LaVentrice expressed her love for Monique, who now reflects on the signs of distress her sister exhibited throughout her tumultuous relationship with Davis.
The couple had been together for seven years, but according to Monique, their relationship was fraught with abuse from the beginning. “I was afraid this would happen,” she said. “I had been warning her that she needed to leave.”
In the wake of this tragedy, Monique is committed to raising awareness about domestic violence, hoping that her sister’s story will resonate with others caught in similar situations. She encourages victims to seek help and communicate with loved ones rather than suffer in silence.
Support is available for those dealing with domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233, while resources like thehotline.org and text support are also accessible. For individuals in crisis, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers immediate help by contacting or texting 988.
As the community mourns, Monique’s determination to advocate for victims serves as a powerful message: silence can be deadly, and reaching out for help is crucial.