SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (WDRB) -- A small Kentucky city is mourning days after a mother of two young boys was killed in what police believe was a domestic violence situation. 

31-year-old Kadesha Burch was shot and killed on Friday inside a home in Springfield, Kentucky in Washington County.

Kentucky State Police said Roosevelt Davis, a Milwaukee man, admitted to robbing a bank in Wisconsin to buy two guns, then drove to Kentucky to kill Burch. Davis is also accused of shooting Burch's mother, Frances Campbell, who is expected to survive.

Davis is the father of one of Burch's two sons. He faces multiple charges including murder and domestic violence.

"This is proof that you can't escape without all of the help available to you," said Emilee Todd Mann, a friend of Kadesha Buch for 15 years.

Kadesha Da'Da' Burch and sons

Kadesha Da'Da' Burch and sons. (Courtesy: Family of Burch)

Mann said Burch, also known as Da'Da' to close friends, has been in her life since she started high school. Her earliest memory of the two is when Burch noticed Mann was struggling and extended a helping hand.

"This friend in my orb who I didn't think had really ever even noticed me, was validating my biggest struggle at that time in my life," Mann said. "It's hard to have a bad memory of her." 

Mann said Burch never took "fine" or "good" as an acceptable answer to the question, "how are you?"

"It wasn't just acceptable cause she could just see straight through you," Mann said.

Not only was she a caring friend, but Mann said she was a great mother raising special children.

"That doesn't come from anything but being a good mother, a woman who has no hobbies because she's had children right and wants to do right by them," Mann said.

A vigil was organized to honor Burch over the weekend. Mann said rows of cars lined up, filled with people from different counties, to pay their respects to her family.

Mann described her interaction with Burch's oldest son at the vigil as a special moment.

"Just, just so calm, despite everything, so calm," Mann said. "His mother has prepared him in such a way to be so strong and to stay so soft. And you know when I saw him at the vigil and I was able to hug him, that was that was something I think that we both needed."

Kadesha Burch Vigil

A vigil for Kadesha Da'Da' Burch was held over the weekend. (Courtesy: Family of Burch)

While Burch and her family may be victims in this situation, Mann said that's not how the family wants Da'Da' to be remembered.

"She won't go down in our remembrance as a victim, she will be known as the strong but soft woman she was," Mann said.

They hope her name will continue to be heard, and she will be remembered as a faithful, strong, and caring woman.

"She had a fantastic just call of her soul to love. Plainly. Freely. Because she could," Mann said. "She was an absolutely strong person. 

The family is also calling for more resources for people directly impacted and families experiencing domestic violence.

Shelbyville Police first pulled over Davis on Interstate 64 for speeding. During the stop, Shelbyville Police said the responding officer was notified by dispatch that Davis was wanted for a bank robbery that occurred in Milwaukee. Police were also alerted of an investigation by KSP who had just issued a look out for the car Davis was driving in connection to the murder in Springfield, which is just southeast of Bardstown in Washington County.

Davis and Burch had a history of domestic incidents. According to an arrest citation from Oct. 5, 2024, Burch was charged with attempted murder after shooting Davis twice in the right leg at a home on Perryville Street, just southwest of Harrodsburg.

According to the citation, Burch told police she and Davis had been fighting all day and that Davis had strangled her. She told officers she was able to get away from him, get a gun and shoot him.

"She wouldn't have done if she didn't have to," Mann said about that situation. 

According to court documents, on Dec. 19, Burch's attempted murder charge was amended down by a grand jury to second-degree assault. On Dec. 23, four days before she was killed, she posted $10,000 bond.

Anyone seeking help to escape an abusive relationship can call the Center for Women and Families 24/7 hotline at 844-237-2331. Their website also helps with information on prevention, education and navigating protective orders in the courts. Click here. 

There are additional resources across the country. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs assistance, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE or clicking here.

There is also a 24-hour Rape Crisis Line in Kentucky at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a sexual assault service provider near you or contact your local Kentucky State Police Post to connect with a victim advocate.

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