Disturbing Twist Further Complicates Murder of "Amy Duh"
Another news story appeared on the tragic death of Amy Duh, killed by her officer husband. Only this time with an even more, disturbing twist. His girlfriend spoke publicly, alleging that Derrek Duh often talked about killing his wife in the girlfriends presence. She also has a five year old child. She indicates she told others of his threats. In looking at this story I am confused.
When you know someone is violent, controlling and on medication for depression, why even involve yourself in that type of relationship.
In addition, she included her own flesh and blood in the mix, placing an innocent child , her own, in jeopardy. There are many lessons for women across the country in this tragic triangle.
The first, and to me most obvious, when someone has a history of violence of any kind, do not get involved.
When the person you become involved with talks about the "perfect murder" or wanting revenge on someone they were in a relationship with, leave immediately. And make sure the proper authorities are notified and a report or record is made as to your information. If you must, go to the local state's attorney's office or contact the attorney general in your area.
Always take time to know the person you are dating. That also means not jumping into bed with them so quickly, and absolutely do not move in with them.
Ask questions about their prior relationships including their family life growing up.
Go to the courthouse in your area and see for yourself prior divorce records or information regarding orders of protection filed against that individual.
Find out about medications that individual may be taking while you are dating. This is a serious red flag. Especially for deepression and they take themselves off without a trained professionals guidence.
Remember, you cannot fix someone or make them better.
The girfriend is very lucky she and her child were not harmed.
If you are involved in a violent relationship or you know someome who is, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE for services and information available in your area.
Girlfriend says cop talked about plan to kill wife
Thursday, September 20, 2007
By BEVIN MILAVSKY
The Express-Times
BETHLEHEM TWP. | The girlfriend of the part-time law enforcement officer who fatally shot his wife and then himself Tuesday morning said he was obsessed with killing his spouse.
Michele Andreacchio, 28, of Bangor, said Derrek Duh was increasingly focused on Amy Duh's demise.
"He constantly threatened it," she said. "We'd be out doing something and then out of nowhere he'd say, 'I have the perfect way to kill her.'"
Thursday, September 20, 2007
By BEVIN MILAVSKY
The Express-Times
BETHLEHEM TWP. | The girlfriend of the part-time law enforcement officer who fatally shot his wife and then himself Tuesday morning said he was obsessed with killing his spouse.
Michele Andreacchio, 28, of Bangor, said Derrek Duh was increasingly focused on Amy Duh's demise.
"He constantly threatened it," she said. "We'd be out doing something and then out of nowhere he'd say, 'I have the perfect way to kill her.'"
Andreacchio and Derrek Duh met in early May, weeks after he and his wife separated. She and her 5-year-old son, Dylan, moved into his home in the 1900 block of Third Street that month.
His older brother, Charles Duh of Land O' Lakes, Fla., said Derrek Duh wanted to get back with his wife.
"Amy left my brother for another man and the thing that my brother wanted the most was for his family to be a family again," he said. "When Amy left him, he was very lonely and he and Michele hit it off."
But Andreacchio said he talked like their relationship was for the long haul.
"He was very caring, very outgoing, very generous money-wise. Whatever I wanted, he would buy me," she said. "He treated me very well."
When he met Andreacchio, he stopped taking his anti-depressants, she said.
She begged him to go back on the medication, but he told her he no longer needed it since she made him happy.
They spent their time doing "family-oriented things," Andreacchio said. In July, they took a trip to Disney World with Dylan and Derrek Duh's son, Garrett, 7.
Andreacchio said she is two months pregnant with Duh's child. She said they already had decided if it was a girl they would name her Meghan.
He had to have his way
But over the past month and a half, Derrek Duh's personality began to change.
"He said to me, 'I understand you don't like that things are my way, but you need to get used to it,'" Andreacchio said. "That's when I started thinking he's not right."
He justified his actions by pointing out that he had bought her presents and taken her places, she said.
Pam Russell, executive director of Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, said batterers often use money and gifts to wield power.
Andreacchio said he started carrying his service weapon around the house and was paranoid someone was out to get him. He also drank a lot, she said, often downing a quart of coconut rum a day.
He was irate his wife was seeing another man, she said. He told her about times he drove past his wife's home or work with a gun. She said she warned Amy Duh about the threats and told Derrek's family she had found suicide notes he wrote.
"I told enough people that he was going to do this," she said. "And now that he did it, it's almost like, 'I told you so.'"
Friend never saw signs
Leroy Bruch talked to Derrek Duh for the last time about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, minutes before the shootings. He said he had never heard his best friend mention harming his wife or himself.
"I was shocked that they were getting divorced. Now this is 10 million times worse," he said.
Bruch and Charles Duh both said Derrek Duh had been spending more time with his wife.
"He was extremely happy the last couple of times I talked to him," Charles Duh said. "He was seeing hope."
Bruch recalled a man who coached Garrett in baseball and football, and he struggles with what could have led him to commit such a heinous act.
"She had to say something for Derrek to do this," he said. "I don't think he would just snap."
Charles Duh said his brother is not a monster.
"What Derrek did was a horrible thing," he said. "But Derrek's not a horrible person."
Though Andreacchio listened to her boyfriend's rants about killing his wife, she never worried his wrath would be turned on her.
"I was his confidante," she said.
But on Sept. 5, one day after Amy Duh dropped the most recent PFA against her husband, he took one out against Andreacchio.
Her mom, Geri Andreacchio, believes Derrek Duh was pushing her away to keep her from getting hurt.
"He told me how happy he was with Michele and you seen it on his face," she said. "But with Amy coming back, he felt Michele was the one in the middle. I think he got a PFA on her to get her out of the house to keep her and Dylan safe."
Reporter Bevin Milavsky can be reached at 610-867-5000
His older brother, Charles Duh of Land O' Lakes, Fla., said Derrek Duh wanted to get back with his wife.
"Amy left my brother for another man and the thing that my brother wanted the most was for his family to be a family again," he said. "When Amy left him, he was very lonely and he and Michele hit it off."
But Andreacchio said he talked like their relationship was for the long haul.
"He was very caring, very outgoing, very generous money-wise. Whatever I wanted, he would buy me," she said. "He treated me very well."
When he met Andreacchio, he stopped taking his anti-depressants, she said.
She begged him to go back on the medication, but he told her he no longer needed it since she made him happy.
They spent their time doing "family-oriented things," Andreacchio said. In July, they took a trip to Disney World with Dylan and Derrek Duh's son, Garrett, 7.
Andreacchio said she is two months pregnant with Duh's child. She said they already had decided if it was a girl they would name her Meghan.
He had to have his way
But over the past month and a half, Derrek Duh's personality began to change.
"He said to me, 'I understand you don't like that things are my way, but you need to get used to it,'" Andreacchio said. "That's when I started thinking he's not right."
He justified his actions by pointing out that he had bought her presents and taken her places, she said.
Pam Russell, executive director of Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, said batterers often use money and gifts to wield power.
Andreacchio said he started carrying his service weapon around the house and was paranoid someone was out to get him. He also drank a lot, she said, often downing a quart of coconut rum a day.
He was irate his wife was seeing another man, she said. He told her about times he drove past his wife's home or work with a gun. She said she warned Amy Duh about the threats and told Derrek's family she had found suicide notes he wrote.
"I told enough people that he was going to do this," she said. "And now that he did it, it's almost like, 'I told you so.'"
Friend never saw signs
Leroy Bruch talked to Derrek Duh for the last time about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, minutes before the shootings. He said he had never heard his best friend mention harming his wife or himself.
"I was shocked that they were getting divorced. Now this is 10 million times worse," he said.
Bruch and Charles Duh both said Derrek Duh had been spending more time with his wife.
"He was extremely happy the last couple of times I talked to him," Charles Duh said. "He was seeing hope."
Bruch recalled a man who coached Garrett in baseball and football, and he struggles with what could have led him to commit such a heinous act.
"She had to say something for Derrek to do this," he said. "I don't think he would just snap."
Charles Duh said his brother is not a monster.
"What Derrek did was a horrible thing," he said. "But Derrek's not a horrible person."
Though Andreacchio listened to her boyfriend's rants about killing his wife, she never worried his wrath would be turned on her.
"I was his confidante," she said.
But on Sept. 5, one day after Amy Duh dropped the most recent PFA against her husband, he took one out against Andreacchio.
Her mom, Geri Andreacchio, believes Derrek Duh was pushing her away to keep her from getting hurt.
"He told me how happy he was with Michele and you seen it on his face," she said. "But with Amy coming back, he felt Michele was the one in the middle. I think he got a PFA on her to get her out of the house to keep her and Dylan safe."
Reporter Bevin Milavsky can be reached at 610-867-5000
