Family, friends continue to mourn one year later
One year after the shooting death of Melissa Barto in Butler, friends and family continue to mourn her loss, holding memorial fundraisers and helping raise awareness of domestic violence in Butler County.
Ryan Barto, Melissa's brother, said today is the anniversary of his sister's disappearance, and “the next few days are going to be very hard.”
“She is still very missed,” he said. “We have our moments, my mom gets upset sometimes, and so do I.”
Melissa, 26, was allegedly shot and killed by her boyfriend, Ishemer Ramsey, 22, of Lyndora. Ramsey was charged with homicide and related charges after police say he fatally shot Melissa during an argument in his car on June 8, 2017.
On June 12, Barto's body was found by a farmer in a field in Lawrence County.
Over the past year, the family has held memorial activities in Melissa's honor, including a 5K event in October to recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and bring attention to the domestic violence issue in the county, in conjunction with the Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe).
Jim Perko and Debra Matonak, of Miller's Quality Meats, where Melissa worked, said they are planning on holding a “Remembering Missy Barto” luncheon today in conjunction with the Jeep Fest, with 20 percent of all proceeds to be donated to VOICe in Melissa's honor.
Ramsey continues be held in Butler County Prison without bail pending further court proceedings, every one Ryan Barto says he plans to attend.
“Everything has been moving really slow,” he said. “We are still waiting for even pretrial to start. There have been continuances left and right. We as a family are ready to get this done and over with.”
Read the full story in Friday's Butler Eagle.
