Vice President, Retail Merchandising Services
The Giumarra Companies
Milwaukie, OR
Kellee Harris lives in Milwaukie, Oregon with her family. In March 2021, Kellee’s 31-year-old daughter Kelsey, a high school counselor and coach, was strangled by her abusive boyfriend and died a week later. Her death was ruled a suicide. Kelsey's abuser was arrested and charged with Assault and Felony Strangulation, but the case was dropped following her death as she was no longer alive to testify and her abuser refused to make a statement.
In 2023, Kellee testified in support of Oregon House Bill 2676 which included coverage of medical costs associated with strangulation kits. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Kotek, effective January 1, 2024. Similar to rape kits, these strangulation kits help diagnose internal injuries and collect DNA samples that can be used in court to help gain convictions. These kits were not used in Linn County at the time of Kelsey's assault. In fact, over two years later, strangulation kits are still only used in 11 of 36 Oregon counties.
Together, Kellee and fellow victims’ advocates are working to change and strengthen domestic violence laws, including more education and coordination at the county level, joining together medical professionals, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and legislators in a cohesive strangulation response and mandated use of strangulation kits at all Oregon hospitals and emergency medical facilities.
