A statement about Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act becoming Tennessee’s newest law on July 1, 2024

On July 1, The Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act became one of Tennessee’s newest laws, which requires the use of GPS monitoring as an additional safeguard for victims in domestic violence cases.

This bill is named in honor of my mom Debbie Sisco and sister Marie Varsos. They were murdered in April 2021 by sister’s husband, who was out on bond after being arrested. I believe this law would have added another shield of protection for them and our family. I also believe they would be alive today if this law, as well as the current laws on the books, were enacted at the time of Marie’s case. My family’s tragedy is a reminder that acts of domestic violence can lead to fatal outcomes.

Although this legislative victory is bittersweet without my mom and sister, I want their story to be a wake-up call to state governments nationwide to pass similar laws and save lives.

- Alex Youn, on behalf of the family of Debbie Sisco and Marie Varsos