Family Demands Parole Change After Amanda Thompson’s Tragic Death

UPDATE: In a powerful call for change, the family of Amanda Thompson is urgently advocating for new legislation to protect domestic violence survivors. This plea comes on the final day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, following the tragic murder of Thompson, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, Rickey Crouch.

On July 17, 2025, Thompson was shot and killed in her Buffalo home. Her mother, Muril Hadden, joined Senator Rob Ortt and mayoral hopeful James Gardner on Friday to support a critical new bill aimed at reforming parole laws that Hadden believes contributed to her daughter’s death.

The proposed legislation—Senate Bill S8554—targets a law that allows the parole board to discharge individuals from community supervision after three consecutive years without revocation. Hadden argues that this early release allowed Crouch the opportunity to allegedly murder Thompson. “For the first three years, Amanda’s killer was the most upstanding citizen you would’ve met,” she stated. “As soon as he got off parole, the old him came back.”

According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Crouch’s parole was terminated early, a decision Hadden believes directly led to her daughter’s tragic fate. “Had Crouch not had his parole discharged early, he would not have had the opportunity to kill her,” she insisted.

The legislation aims to ensure continued monitoring of parolees convicted of serious offenses, reversing policies that have recently enabled early discharges. Senator Ortt emphasized, “The parole board has changed… the law allowing them to grant early release has been on the books for a while, but they only recently started utilizing it.”

Advocates for domestic violence victims highlight the heightened risk survivors face when they take steps to leave abusive situations. “The moment that a survivor takes a stand and says, ‘I’m not going to take this abuse anymore,’ that is the most dangerous time,” said Tiffany Pavone, director of victim services at Child & Family Services’ Haven House.

Tragically, Amanda Thompson’s case reflects a broader crisis. Pavone noted a troubling trend of domestic violence-related homicides in Western New York, emphasizing that Thompson is not alone. “We’ve had more than one domestic violence homicide in our community, unfortunately,” she stated.

Senator Ortt’s bill is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee, as families like Thompson’s await crucial legislative action to protect future victims.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, immediate help is available. The Erie County Domestic Violence Victim Program can be reached at (716) 858-4630 or online at erie.gov/besafe.

This urgent call for legislative reform underscores the need for effective policies that prioritize the safety of domestic violence survivors. As the community rallies behind Amanda Thompson’s family, the hope for change grows stronger.