October may be over, but two sisters say their fight against domestic violence is far from finished.
Shauntel and Ashley Villarreal are speaking publicly for the first time about the death of their sister, Brianna Richter, who was killed in June by her estranged husband, Albert Richter, in a murder-suicide.
The sisters say they want answers about what happened after Brianna Richter tried to leave her marriage, and they hope her story can help other women facing domestic violence.
“She loved life. She was so optimistic about the future. She really was excited,” one of her sisters said.
Before her death, Brianna Richter was a mother whose children were central to her life.
“When she became a mom, that was her most important role and her most rewarded role in life was being a mom,” her sisters said.
Court records show Albert Richter was first arrested on a domestic violence charge in May 2025. Brianna Richter previously dropped charges stemming from an earlier incident.
Her sisters say she initially hoped the violence was an isolated incident and that her husband would change.
“I think she maybe sort of believed that this was a one-time, isolated incident. That he would learn from it,” they said.
But they describe continued abuse, including threats, holes punched in walls and intimidation involving a gun.
By April, they say Brianna Richter was frightened and wanted to leave.
“She just wanted out and he wouldn’t let her out. And so she had no choice but to go to the police,” her sisters said.
Brianna Richter moved out, filed for divorce and sought a protective order.
Months later, she was killed.
Brianna Richter’s sisters say they believe there were missteps along the way, though they declined to discuss specifics because the investigation remains ongoing.
“Without saying too much, because there is still an ongoing investigation, yes, there definitely was missteps along the way,” they said.
The sisters say they were reassured Albert Richter was being monitored through GPS and that Brianna Richter would be notified if something changed.
They believe he may have been able to find her because she maintained the same routine.
The family says it is still waiting for answers as investigators continue looking into what happened.
The sisters say they want changes that could make it easier for women to leave abusive relationships, particularly those who cannot afford to relocate with their children.
“Brianna was financially capable to move her and her children, but there are so many women that can’t. And I don’t want that to be the stopping reason why they do not leave a relationship,” they said.
They also encourage women experiencing abuse to tell others what is happening and surround themselves with people who can help.
“Just surround yourself with as much community and I would say literally yell it from the rooftops because it takes sometimes a community to take one person down. You can’t do it on your own,” they said.
Over the weekend, a team called Brianna’s Butterflies walked in her honor. Friends and family gathered to remember Brianna Richter and keep her story alive.
Her sisters say they want her legacy to be about more than the violence that ended her life.
“Her death is not going to define who she was. If anything, you know, her purpose is to help other women,” they said.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there is so much help for you. KSAT has a list of resources on its Domestic Violence webpage, which also explains how to identify different types of abuse.
Survivors in unincorporated Bexar County who are not in current emergencies can fill out an online form to get in touch with STAR specialists. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.
For wrap-around services, including the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, call Family Violence Prevention Services at (210) 733-8810.
You can also contact the Bexar County Family Justice Center, which also provides wrap-around services at (210) 631-0100.
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