They're the stories we hear too often: Domestic violence leading to murder. But, experts say it's the stories we don't hear that destroy lives every single day.

We talked to domestic abuse victims, experts and friends of women who can no longer speak for themselves. Their stories are all heartbreaking, but they all want them to be told. That's because this story is for anyone trying to find a way out or anyone trying to help a friend escape the abuse before it’s too late.

"Shereen is a very compassionate person, very caring, very smart. And I always thought she was beautiful and represented her name well,” says Lori Remington.

Shereen Beaulieu is a victim of domestic violence. Her long-time co-worker and friend Lori Remington still struggles with what happened last July.

"One thing that bothers me the most is the fear she must've felt when he walked through the door and pointed a gun at her face," Lori tells us in a shaky voice.

Investigators say Shereen's husband Bob Beaulieu shot her at her apartment outside of Madison. He then went to his apartment and shot himself. Lori says he dropped of the divorce papers at his attorney's office the same morning he shot Shereen.

"I had to go outside and I literally screamed," Lori says.

Lori met Shereen at CVTC in 1988. They both worked at the Eau Claire County courthouse until Shereen left for Madison a few years ago. Lori says it took a lot of years of friendship for Shereen to open up about her husband's drinking and verbal abuse. Shereen told Lori he never hit her.

"I never asked her 'has he ever threatened to kill you?' And I really think she would have told me 'yes,’" Lori says.

Shereen's story is similar to many others. Kathy D'Amico told us she left her husband 17 times before she says he shot her in the head early this year. He's charged with attempted murder. Theresa Still had filed a restraining order against her live-in boyfriend two years ago. Prosecutors charged him with killing her last month. And Alisha Sidie's ex-husband was convicted of her murder last year.

“Sometimes victims are afraid to leave and sometimes they're right," says Judi Mosely.

Judi says it's easy for us to ask "why didn't she just leave?" and "why did she stay for so long?" She says she left her abusive husband only to have him fracture her skull and break her nose in front of their four kids a year after their divorce.

"Pretty much victims are doing the best they can with the card that they're dealt," Judi says

Judi now works to help other women who find themselves in the same dark place she once was in. She works with the Bolton Refuge House in Eau Claire—the same place where she showed up looking for help about 20 years ago.

"I really did feel like there was a no win situation because you know what? It doesn't feel good to go into shelter. You don't feel like that's a successful outcome," Judi says.

But, Judi says success can come. Bolton is a safe place for victims to sort out what to do next. There's counseling and someone to help with the court process and be a liaison with law enforcement. There's always someone to talk to. And there's a secure place to stay when you're not safe at home.

"We are in the business of helping to save lives,” Judi says. “No situation out there can't be made worse but for a lack of resources."

"You as a friend, you've got to build them up and you are the person who helps them to think straight and tells them it's OK to reach out for help," Lori tells us.

Lori says she'll always regret not fully realizing how scared Shereen was of her husband. She wishes her friend was still here to see her four-year-old grandson—the love of her life.

"I would do anything to save her and bring her back," Lori says through her tears.

She hopes Shereen's story saves someone else.

The executive director of the Bolton Refuge House says its six rooms are always full. They're in the process of moving to a new building and still trying to raise money.

Lori, and Shereen's other friends and family, are sponsoring two rooms at Bolton in her honor. Anyone can donate specifically in her name as well.

If you need help, you can call the Bolton Refuge House 24 hours a day at (715) 834-9578 or 1-800-252-4357.

CLICK HERE for more information on domestic abuse or for information about making a donation to the Bolton Refuge House.

You can also call the Family Support Center in Chippewa Falls 24 hours a day at (715) 723-1138 or (800) 400-7020.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Family Support Center.