PORTLAND, Ore. — On Monday, several friends and family members of Jeannie Enyeart gathered outside the Multnomah County Justice Center to call for justice.
Back in January, Enyeart was found lifeless in the trunk of her car in Skamania County, Washington. Her fiancé Jon French, was arrested days later and is now facing charges of murder and abuse of a corpse.
A medical examiner's autopsy determined Enyeart died of homicidal violence, specifically blunt force trauma to the neck.
“We want justice for the person that took her life,” said Kristin Eddy who is Enyeart’s younger sister. "We also want to spread awareness for domestic abuse and all the different forms of domestic abuse.”
Eddy told KGW the family started noticing some signs that things weren’t going right around December. So they reached out.
“We just had a feeling that things weren't going well in the relationship,” said Eddy. “She reassured us that everything was okay but I think that is who Jeannie was. You know, I think whatever he was going through. She wanted to help him.”
Jeannie leaves behind her three siblings, two children and a 6-month-old grandson whom they all considered the glue of the family. Her dear friends are also grappling with their new reality, including Larissa Spellman.
“We’ve been best friends since we were 12,” said Spellman. “And most of my life like I don’t even remember before she walked into it. So, it’s very difficult not having her here now. It was honestly quite shocking to find out after she was murdered that he had been abusing her.”
Jeannie’s loved ones held signs speaking on domestic violence, sharing stats and encouraging messages and ways to get help.
"I never thought she would be in this position. You know, she was a loving mother for me and my sisters for 20 years. She just wanted the best for us and her family,” said Antonio Reyes, Jeannie’s son. "For the family to hear about this and go through this — it's unreal."
Reyes tells KGW he lived with his mom and French around a month before her murder. He was the one who called for a wellness check with the police. He said he found the house in shambles and knew something wasn't right.
"What I'll miss about my mom is how funny she was, and how much we would go out and do stuff together," said Reyes. "But what I will miss most about her — is how much she was there for her family and how much unconditional love she had towards everyone around her."
Court records show French is scheduled for a fitness to proceed hearing on Tuesday — which will determine whether he’s fit to stand trial.