Mississippi is facing a troubling distinction: the state leads the nation in gun-related deaths among pregnant and recently postpartum women, according to a recent investigation highlighted by Mississippi Today and other public health researchers.
Experts say the trend reflects a complex mix of domestic violence, easy firearm access, and limited reproductive and health care options—factors that can make pregnancy a particularly vulnerable time for women experiencing abuse.
One tragic case underscores the issue. In Biloxi, 19-year-old Keli Mornay had recently obtained a restraining order against an ex-boyfriend after reporting months of abuse. According to court records referenced in the reporting, she told authorities she feared for her life and the safety of her children. Just days later, Mornay and her 7-month-old son were shot and killed. Her death became part of a larger pattern researchers say is playing out across the state.
Data analyzed from federal health records found that Mississippi has the highest rate of gun homicides involving pregnant or recently pregnant women among states with available statistics. In the state, roughly 15 women per 100,000 births died from gun violence during pregnancy or within a year after giving birth.
Public health experts say pregnancy can increase the risk of violence from abusive partners. The period often brings major life changes and stress, and victims may attempt to leave relationships—something advocates say can trigger violent reactions from abusers.
“Pregnant women are sometimes targeted precisely because power dynamics in abusive relationships begin to shift,” one domestic violence advocate explained in the reporting.
Many of these cases are tied to firearms. Studies cited by researchers show that women in abusive relationships are several times more likely to be killed if their partner has access to a gun. Advocates argue that Mississippi’s relatively weak firearm restrictions may contribute to the problem.
Another heartbreaking example occurred in Holmes County, where McKayla Winston—days away from giving birth—was found dead in 2019. Authorities charged the child’s father with capital murder, but the case remains unresolved years later, leaving family members searching for answers.
Violence affecting pregnant women is not always tied to domestic disputes. In some instances, women have been killed in broader acts of gun violence, such as drive-by shootings.
Community leaders and researchers say addressing the crisis will require a multi-layered approach, including stronger enforcement of domestic violence protections, improved training for law enforcement, and expanded access to health care and social services.
Some advocates are also pushing for policies that prevent individuals with domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. Research suggests such laws can significantly reduce intimate partner homicides.
Ultimately, experts say pregnancy-related violence is often overlooked in discussions about maternal health—even though it has become one of the leading causes of death for pregnant women nationwide.
For families affected by these tragedies, the statistics represent something far more personal: loved ones whose lives were cut short before they had the chance to build a future.
