Amanda Thompson’s Family Advocates for Parole Reform to Aid Survivors
The family of Amanda Thompson, a Buffalo woman allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend, is advocating for a new legislative bill aimed at enhancing protections for survivors of domestic violence. This call to action comes on the final day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the parole system.
On July 17, 2025, 49-year-old Rickey Crouch allegedly shot and killed Thompson in her home. In light of this tragic incident, Muril Hadden, Thompson’s mother, joined forces with Senator Rob Ortt and Buffalo’s Republican mayoral candidate, James Gardner, to endorse Senate Bill S8554. This proposed legislation seeks to repeal a law that permits the parole board to discharge a parolee after three consecutive years of unrevoked community supervision.
Hadden expressed her belief that Crouch’s early release from parole ultimately contributed to her daughter’s death. “For the first three years, Amanda’s killer was the most upstanding citizen you would have met,” Hadden stated. “We thought he was a great guy, but as soon as he got off parole, the old him came back.” She emphasized that if Crouch had not received early discharge from his parole, he would not have had the opportunity to allegedly commit this crime.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Ortt, aims to reverse the policy allowing early termination of supervision, which critics argue undermines effective monitoring of individuals convicted of serious offenses. “This law was there, and you didn’t see this,” Ortt explained, noting a shift in the parole board’s approach to granting early releases. “We’ve seen the release of people on parole that in the past would never have been paroled.”
Advocates for domestic violence survivors stress that the period when a victim decides to leave an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous. Tiffany Pavone, director of victim services at Child & Family Services’ Haven House, indicated that this is when victims are at the highest risk of serious injury or death. “The moment a survivor takes a stand and says I’m not going to take this abuse anymore, that is the most dangerous time,” Pavone stated.
Tragically, Thompson’s case is part of a broader pattern of domestic violence-related homicides occurring in Western New York. Pavone noted that such incidents are not isolated, with several domestic violence homicides reported in recent months. “Unfortunately, Amanda’s not the only one this year or even in the last few months,” she remarked, underscoring the pressing need for legislative change.
Senator Ortt’s parole reform bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Rules Committee. If passed, it could play a crucial role in safeguarding potential victims of domestic violence by ensuring stricter oversight of parolees with a history of serious offenses.
For those affected by domestic violence, resources are available. Erie County offers a Domestic Violence Victim Program, which can be contacted at (716) 858-4630 or via their website at erie.gov/besafe. The ongoing advocacy for legislative reform reflects a growing awareness and urgency surrounding the issue of domestic violence, highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in society.
