Family of Murder Victim Pushes Urgent Parole Bill for Survivors

UPDATE: On the final day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the family of Amanda Thompson, a Buffalo woman allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend, is urgently advocating for a key parole bill. This proposed legislation, Senate Bill S8554, aims to enhance protections for domestic violence survivors by preventing the early discharge of parolees, a change they believe could save lives.

Amanda Thompson was tragically shot and killed by Rickey Crouch on the morning of July 17, 2025. Her mother, Muril Hadden, joined Senator Rob Ortt and Buffalo’s Republican mayoral hopeful James Gardner to voice their support for the bill during a press conference on Friday. Hadden insists that Crouch’s early release from parole contributed directly to her daughter’s death.

Hadden stated, “For the first three years, Amanda’s killer was the most upstanding citizen you would’ve met, he had all of us fooled.” She emphasized that if Crouch had remained under stricter supervision, he would not have had the opportunity to allegedly commit murder.

The legislation proposes to repeal a law that allows the parole board to discharge a parolee who has had unrevoked community supervision for three consecutive years. Hadden believes that without this change, dangerous offenders can slip through the cracks. “Had Crouch not had his parole discharged early, he would not have been on the streets to kill her,” she said.

According to Senator Ortt, the current parole board situation has changed dramatically, resulting in the increased use of the early discharge law. “I think it’s an indication of how different the parole board is today than it was many years ago,” Ortt noted. This shift raises serious concerns about the safety of domestic violence victims, who are often at their highest risk when attempting to leave an abusive relationship.

Advocates for domestic violence survivors stress that the moment a victim takes a stand against abuse is often the most perilous time. Tiffany Pavone, director of victim services at Child & Family Services’ Haven House, remarked, “That is the most dangerous time.” She highlighted that Amanda’s case reflects a broader pattern of domestic violence-related homicides in Western New York.

Senate Bill S8554 is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Rules Committee. If passed, it could significantly alter how parole is managed and provide greater protection to vulnerable individuals.

The family of Amanda Thompson hopes that this bill will be a vital step toward ensuring that no other family must endure the heartache they have faced. They are calling on the community to support this urgent initiative to protect survivors of domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available. Erie County offers a Domestic Violence Victim Program at (716) 858-4630 or you can visit erie.gov/besafe for more information.

As this critical legislation progresses, the community watches closely to see if it can provide the necessary safeguards for those most at risk. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.