Burned wife speaks out on abuse, shares story of survival

Oct 7, 2010 by admin

By Stephanie Ibarra
Killeen Daily Herald

Nearly one year since Audrey Mabrey, 27, was beaten and set ablaze, Mabrey recalls her story in hopes that she may bring awareness to domestic violence.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, on Nov. 19, 2009, Mabrey’s estranged husband doused her in gasoline, struck her over the head with a hammer and lit her on fire.

She had just returned home from a jog when she was greeted by her husband holding a butcher knife.

“As soon as I entered the house, he just bum-rushed me, scooped me up and took me into the garage,” Mabrey details.

The altercation continued to escalate when he accused her of having multiple affairs, claiming their first child wasn’t his, says Mabrey.

“He laid me down on the floor and began trying to rape me with the knife to my throat. When he pulled out the hammer, I began praying (and) as soon as he lit the candle, I knew what time it was,” said Mabrey, who remained conscious as he proceeded to douse her in gasoline and then ignite the flammable liquid.

Engulfed in flames and with 2nd and 3rd degree burns already coating over 80% of her body, Mabrey mustered the strength to manually raise the garage door and run out into her front yard.

“My neighbor who was walking her son back from school sees (me). She was in so much shock, and I’m saying to her, “Veronica, 911. 911!” …The last thing I remember was being in the helicopter. From that point on I don’t remember anything until almost Christmas.”

Clinging to life, Mabrey was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition. With burns so severe, she would be induced into a coma, where she would remain for six weeks. The next time she would see her two young sons, ages one and four, would be three months later.

“I did not want them to see me. It was hard with the baby…he became attached to her,” admits Mabrey, referring to the woman who had custody of her children while she was hospitalized.

Looking Back
The couple had been separated months prior to the November incident. After a violent outburst by her husband mid-October, Mabrey moved out.

“Before that there was no physical abuse. Was there emotional (abuse)? Was there mental (abuse)? Yes, but it wasn’t violent,” maintains Mabrey, adding, “It’s the realization that it can go from zero to 60 in no time, and you never know when it’s going to happen.”

Her parents, Richard and Lisa Brown, longtime Killeen residents, are currently working towards moving Mabrey and her two sons back to Texas.

Meanwhile, Mabrey’s husband, a former New York police detective, remains in the Hillsborough County jail awaiting trial for attempted first-degree murder and first-degree arson, facing life without parole.

Through it all, Mabrey remains resilient, stating, “People don’t realize how much help is out there. When people silence themselves, they let the abuse grow. Just because something tragic or horrific happens to you in life doesn’t mean A. your life is over or B. that you should buy into that.”

“The day that everything happened to me he took away my outer beauty and he scarred my skin, but that’s all he took away from me. I would never let him take away anything else from me.”

For more information and articles on domestic violence, visit our October awareness page at kdhnews.com/awareness.

Article Source: Killeen Daily Herald

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Audrey Mabrey

THE STARS BEHIND THE STARS

Sep 2, 2010 by admin

For the second year in a row, the dynamic and legendary Fred Astaire Dance Studios Tampa Bay has been selected as the exclusive partner of the most anticipated dance event in Tampa Bay, Dancing with the Stars 2010 on September 11th at the Pepin Hospitality Center in Tampa. Fred Astaire’s professional and award-winning instructors will be donating their time, talents and expertise as they pair up with this year’s dancers to dazzle guests and to benefit Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay. In addition to Fred Astaire dancers performing 2 sizzling routines, the Astaire skilled pros will coach local celebrities and affluent community members throughout the Tampa Bay area such as Brooke Palmer, Tina Clayton, Chuck Henson, Roy Naccour, Jessica Schwarzkopf, Dean Burnetti, Meredith Walusek and several more on the art of dancing. The steps Astaire dancers and local celebrities will take on the floor are representative of the many steps that will be taken by Hands Across the Bay to improve the lives of many community residents. Proceeds from the event will support the following local charities: Kid’s Charity of Tampa Bay, Moffitt Cancer Center and Pepin Heart Hospital.

See this article and more at Fred Astaire Dance Studio‘s Website

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Julie Weintraub Reacts when Victim speaks out after husband allegedly set her on fire

Apr 18, 2010 by admin

ABC Action News:

CLEARWATER, FL — Audrey Mabrey is a 26-year-old mother of two little boys whose life has changed forever.

It happened on November 17, 2009. Mabrey says it was that day her husband, Christopher Hanney, lost control.

“I would describe it that he just snapped. I swallowed some gasoline, I was on fire. It is one of the worst injuries to go through. My doctors say it will be at least a year before I can even function on my own.”

Hillsborough County Deputies have charged Hanney with first degree attempted murder and arson. Investigators said Mabrey was hit in the head with a hammer and doused with lighter fuel. She spent weeks in critical care at Tampa General Hospital’s burn unit.

Mabrey says, “My injuries are so bad people stare. But, I am at the point I really don’t care anymore.”

There are plenty of people who care about her. Even those that don’t even know her.

Julie Weintraub, who owns Gold and Diamond Source with her husband Steve in Clearwater, has taken up Mabrey’s cause.

Weintraub just launched her non-profit Hands Across the Bay. Her first event will benefit Mabrey.

“I just could not believe when I heard what happened to her. I just had to help. Years earlier, when my husband and I did not really have the cash, we donated jewelry. Now, I am able to do more and I want to help make a difference in her life.”

ABC Action News was there when Weintraub spoke to the woman she is trying to help for the first time. She broke down in tears as she told Mabrey, “We are all going to be there and we are going to have an awesome time.”

At the Courtside Grille this Thursday, Weintraub’s charity is hosting a celebrity bartending fundraiser.

In attendance will be reality TV star Mary Murphy, one of the judges on Fox’s reality dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance”. Recently Murphy revealed she was a victim of domestic violence. Mabrey had reached out to her and Weintraub wanted to make sure Murphy could attend.

“It is great that she wants to be here. It will help raise money for this young woman who really needs it. I am hoping for a huge turnout.”

ABC Action New anchor Brendan McLaughlin will also be there supporting the cause.

Mabrey says, “I just can’t believe how much people care. I want to get back on my feet so I can take care of my little boys.”
Copyright 2010 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Audrey Mabrey

Apr 16, 2010 by admin

Audrey’s Story:

Audrey is an inspiring young mother of two boys (ages 4 and 1) who is currently in a fight unlike any she has ever faced. She is an inspirational, passionate, and caring woman here in the Tampa Bay Area.

On November 17, 2009, Audrey’s estranged husband struck her in the head with a hammer, doused her in gasoline, and set her on fire. With burns over 80% of her body, what the future holds for her is truly unknown.

Prior to this act of domestic violence, Audrey was working diligently at the local Chili’s restaurant in Brandon and was also enrolled in college to try and provide a better future for herself and her family. Her love for her family, friends, and her zest for life is what truly illuminated her path towards a brighter tomorrow.

Prior altercations with her husband caused Audrey to remove her boys from the home for fear of the potential harm that might come to them. However, in the face of all of this, she remained focused and committed to rising above what others might have viewed as limiting circumstances.

After 3 months in the Intensive Care Burn Unit, Audrey was transported to the hospital’s rehabilitation center from where she has recently been released, but visits three times per week for rehab. In the face of all of this adversity, Audrey finds her inspiration in other women who have stepped forth and spoken about their ability to find strength and success despite their experience as victims of domestic violence. Audrey is committed to reaching the goals she had set prior to this incident, but struggles each day to return to the life she previously knew. Audrey is genuinely one of the most inspirational people, and is even spending time with other burn victims, helping them find the courage and strength to move forward in their healing process. Even in her most challenging of moments, she manages to be an inspiration to others. Her passion for life and love for family motivates those around her to live each day to the fullest.

Photos of Audrey & her kids (click to enlarge):