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WASHINGTON -- With possibly hours left until the Senate votes to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, conservative groups are ramping up their efforts to pressure Republicans to vote against the bill, making claims the bill's proponents say are either misleading or completely false. Read the full article here »

AVP is investigating a homicide that occurred in Elmhurst, Queens this weekend as possibly being anti-gay hate violence or intimate partner violence-motivated. At this time, however, no formal motive has yet been determined. Joseph Benzinger, age 54, was found dead in a room at the Crown Motor Inn on Queens Boulevard. According to multiple media sources, the medical examiner concluded Benzinger had been strangled to death. Police are actively investigating Benzinger's death as a homicide.

Nearly two weeks after David Rangel was found choked to death in his Jackson Heights apartment, police have yet to name a suspect or make an arrest in connection to the murder. Read the full article here »

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the death of a gay man, Milton Medina Morales on February 3, 2013 just outside of Mayagüez, Pueto Rico. El Nuevo Día and the Washington Blade are reporting that Soto Vélez has confessed to Morales' killing. Media sources state that Morales was attacked with a machete and that his body was found partially burned. Given the alarming trend of targeted homicides of LGBTQ people in Puerto Rico, NCAVP is very concerned about violence against LGBTQ people in Puerto Rico.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of an intimate partner violence (IPV) homicide-suicide that occurred on Wednesday, February 6 in Lake Worth, Florida. According to local news sources Leopold Azplazu and Gabriel Ferrarotti were found shot to death in a home on South Lakeside Drive. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office believes Azplazu shot Ferrarotti prior to killing himself. Neighbors speaking to the press stated that the homicide-suicide occurred following the coupe's breaking up after 11 years on Tuesday night.