UPDATE: On the final day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Amanda Thompson’s family is urgently advocating for a crucial parole reform bill following her tragic murder. The Buffalo woman was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend, Rickey Crouch, who was released from parole just before the incident.
On July 17, 2025, Thompson was shot in her home, a crime that her mother, Muril Hadden, believes could have been prevented. Today, alongside Senator Rob Ortt and Buffalo mayoral candidate James Gardner, Hadden expressed her support for Senate Bill S8554, which aims to repeal a law that allows early discharge from parole after three years of unrevoked supervision.
Hadden stated, “For the first three years, Amanda’s killer was the most upstanding citizen you would’ve met. We thought he was a great guy, but as soon as he got off parole, the old him came back.” The legislation is critical, Hadden argues, as it seeks to ensure that individuals convicted of serious offenses are effectively monitored until their sentences are fully served.
Crouch’s early parole discharge enabled him to allegedly murder Thompson, according to Hadden. She believes that had Crouch remained under supervision, he would have faced consequences for previous abusive behaviors, potentially preventing the crime. “He never would’ve been on the streets to kill her,” Hadden asserted.
Senator Ortt emphasized that the current parole board’s practices have changed, leading to the increased use of early releases. “We’ve seen the release of people on parole that would never have been paroled in the past,” Ortt noted, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
Advocates for domestic violence victims stress that the period when a survivor decides to leave an abusive relationship is the most dangerous. According to Tiffany Pavone, director of victim services with Child & Family Services’ Haven House, “The moment that a survivor takes a stand and says I’m not going to take this abuse anymore… that is the most dangerous time.”
Tragically, Amanda Thompson’s story is not an isolated incident. Pavone pointed out that Western New York has experienced a concerning rise in domestic violence-related homicides this year. “We’ve had more than one domestic violence homicide in our community, unfortunately,” she said.
As the bill awaits consideration in the Senate Rules Committee, Hadden and advocates are calling for immediate action to protect survivors of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, resources are available through the Erie County Domestic Violence Victim Program at (716) 858-4630 or at erie.gov/besafe.
This urgent call for reform highlights the critical need for legislative action to safeguard victims and prevent further tragedies. The community is rallying behind this cause, urging lawmakers to prioritize the safety of domestic violence survivors.
