Demi was brutally murdered in August 2007 by her ex-boyfriend just one day after celebrating her 16th birthday. Demi was an exceptionally beautiful young lady with a contagious smile, charming personality and a compassionate, spiritual soul. The horrific and unimaginable tragedy that struck our lives and violently ended Demi’s life is today a rapidly growing dangerous epidemic permeating our society. The Demi Brae Cuccia Awareness Organization was founded to honor her memory. Our mission will be to educate our youth, parents, communities and educational system about the dangers of teen dating violence. Demi is loved, missed and adored by so many. Visit www.demibrae.com for more information regarding House Bill 2026 (The Demi Brae Cuccia Bill) and to help support our cause.
Demi, By Jodie Miceli Cuccia
Demi Brae Cuccia was born 8/13/1991 in Austell Ga. She was born at home, a middle child with an older brother and a younger sister. Our bond was immediate. We moved back to our hometown of Monroeville Pa when Demi was three. Demi was homeschooled until the second grade; she enjoyed being home so public school was quite an adjustment. Demi enjoyed being creative, she loved animals and children. She loved to color and visit Conneaut Lake in the summers. As she grew she loved cheerleading.
In the 6th grade Demi was diagnosed with ITP, a disorder that affected her platelets; she was a very sick little girl. She was hospitalized several times in a thirteen-month period. She was healed at age 14 and that is when her faith in her Lord grew deep; she was so thankful and took nothing for granted.
Demi was resilient and a deep thinker; she was wise beyond her age.
Demi met John Mullarkey when she was 15. I believe, like all young girls, she felt impressed that a boy liked her. This relationship was off and on because she wasn’t allowed to “date”; however she spent time with John because he was her older brother’s friend and he visited our home.
Looking back at the signs that I wished I knew then, she seemed frustrated and emotional, even though it might be thought of as a “normal” way a teen might react to a situation… This is a warning sign that we all missed.
One day after her 16th birthday Demi was murdered by John in our home. She was stabbed 16 times. John now serves a life sentence without the possibility of parole….In a different way so do we.
Please visit Demi’s story and those that love and miss her beyond words at Virtual Memorial. You will also find helpful links and warning signs of Teen Dating Violence.