Memphis Fire Death “Perfect Storm of Domestic Abuse and Mental Illness,” Target’s Family Says
Early Saturday morning, musician and sound engineer Jared McLemore set himself on fire and entered Murphy’s, a crowded Memphis bar where his ex-girlfriend Alyssa Moore worked as a sound engineer. McLemore was broadcasting himself on Facebook Live while he did it. He later died at a local hospital. Paul Garner, a member of Aktion Kat, one of the bands performing at Murphy’s that night, was hospitalized with second degree burns after he attempted to kick a lighter out of McLemore’s hand.
Moore’s family has now released a statement about the incident, which was sent to Pitchfork. “We want to make clear that this happened because of a perfect storm of domestic abuse, the stigma around it, and the visceral reality of mental illness,” they write. “Alyssa tried to help Jared, and she also had to keep herself safe from him. The police were involved numerous times, and she had an active restraining order.”
The statement also said, “Those who were at Murphy’s that night to enjoy the music witnessed Jared targeting Alyssa in her workplace, terrorizing her, and also terrorizing as many others as he could in the process.”
As WREG News Channel 3 Memphis reported, McLemore was arrested last August for strangling Moore and threatening to kill her. In April, he was sentenced to probation on domestic assault charges.
Read the full statement from the family of Alyssa Moore:
By now, it seems everyone has heard the story of what happened at Murphy’s in Memphis in the early hours of Saturday, May 13. We want to thank the community for its outpouring of love and support. Alyssa is thinking of everyone who had to witness this, both in person and on Facebook Live. Those who were at Murphy’s that night to enjoy the music witnessed Jared targeting Alyssa in her workplace, terrorizing her, and also terrorizing as many others as he could in the process. Alyssa knows many have been affected by this event, for many reasons, and hopes that when she’s ready, she’ll be able to give back the same love and support she’s received from so many of you.
Jared’s family is also in Alyssa’s heart. We want to make clear that this happened because of a perfect storm of domestic abuse, the stigma around it, and the visceral reality of mental illness. Alyssa tried to help Jared, and she also had to keep herself safe from him. The police were involved numerous times, and she had an active restraining order.
Specifically we want to thank Jessie Anäis Honoré, who organized the GoFundMe on Alyssa’s behalf. The initial goal was to raise money to help pay for Alyssa’s bills, therapy, the equipment she lost, and the time away from the public eye she needs to recover from this horrifying incident. But because of your overwhelming support, part of this money will be used to help the community heal from this. Family and friends are working to organize resources for all who witnessed this, and will update with details as soon as they are available.
Please respect our family’s privacy during this time so Alyssa can have the space to start healing from this nightmare. When we’re ready, we will reach out to the community at large. We love you all.
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