An organization that tracks domestic violence in Minnesota reported one intimate partner killing every week for the last four weeks, from April 12 to May 7. Murder charges have been filed in two of these deaths and law enforcement believe the other two occurred in murder-suicides. In total, Violence Free Minnesota has tracked seven intimate partner killings so far this year.

Behind each one is a human life, with friends, family and communities in mourning. Guadalupe Lopez, executive director of Violence Free Minnesota, joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about efforts to prevent the loss of more lives to abuse.

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with a partner, help is available through a 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.