Amanda Thompson’s Family Backs Urgent Parole Bill for DV Survivors

UPDATE: On the last day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the family of Amanda Thompson is urgently advocating for Senate Bill S8554, a new legislation they believe will significantly protect domestic violence survivors. This powerful call to action follows the tragic murder of Thompson, a Buffalo woman, allegedly at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Rickey Crouch, on July 17, 2025.

At a press conference on October 31, 2025, Thompson’s mother, Muril Hadden, stood with Senator Rob Ortt and mayoral candidate James Gardner to emphasize the bill’s importance. “Had Crouch not had his parole discharged early, Amanda would be alive today,” Hadden stated, highlighting the crucial connection between parole laws and the safety of domestic violence victims.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal a current law that allows the parole board to release individuals on community supervision after three consecutive years without revocation. This law, according to Hadden, directly contributed to her daughter’s death, as Crouch was able to act violently once his early release was granted.

“For the first three years, Amanda’s killer was the most upstanding citizen you would’ve met, he had all of us fooled,”

Hadden emphasized. “As soon as he got off parole, the old him came back.”

Senator Ortt confirmed that the parole board has begun to utilize early discharge provisions in recent years, raising alarms about the potential risks to victims. “We’ve seen the release of people on parole that would never have been paroled in the past,” he stated. “It’s a clear indication of how different the parole board is today.”

Advocates warn that the most dangerous time for domestic violence victims is often when they attempt to leave their abuser. Tiffany Pavone, director of victim services with Child & Family Services’ Haven House, stressed the critical risks involved. “When a survivor takes a stand and says I’m not going to take this abuse anymore, that is the most dangerous time,” Pavone explained. “Amanda’s case is tragically not unique; we have seen multiple domestic violence-related homicides in our community recently.”

Senate Bill S8554 is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Rules Committee, and its progression could fundamentally alter the landscape of domestic violence protection in New York. If enacted, the legislation would prevent the parole board from discharging a parolee before their sentence is completed, thereby enhancing monitoring of those convicted of serious offenses.

What’s Next: If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, immediate support is available. Erie County offers a Domestic Violence Victim Program at (716) 858-4630 or visit erie.gov/besafe.

This urgent call to action not only highlights the ongoing issues surrounding domestic violence but also emphasizes the critical need for legislative reform to protect vulnerable individuals. The time for change is now, and Thompson’s family is determined to ensure that no other family faces a similar tragedy.