Mildred Muhammad: D.C. Sniper’s Ex-Wife Shares Her Story

by | Oct 19, 2009 | Blog | 278 comments

By Charreah Jackson

Her murder was imminent, Mildred Muhammad knew for sure. After years of psychological abuse and having her ex-husband kidnap their three kids for 18 months, the man she married had become a distant memory. Yet while the local and national news was wholly concentrated on the looming D.C. sniper who had already murdered ten people, Muhammad had no idea it was her ex-husband making his way to her.

As the days count down to John Allen Muhammad’s impending execution for the now infamous 2002 killing spree, his ex-wife finally reveals her story in a new memoir, “Scared Silent.” In a candid interview, she shares with ESSENCE.com the terror of watching Muhammad transform from a loving man into an unbearable monster, how she and her children have found solace, and why lives could have been saved if her pleas of domestic violence had been heard.

ESSENCE.COM: You knew John could kill, but never thought he was the D.C. sniper. When did you realize the man you once loved was a murderer?
MILDRED MUHAMMAD: John was totally different and was no longer affectionate when he got back from the Gulf War. After he kidnapped our children and I got them back, I knew he was going to eventually find and kill me. But I never thought he would kill innocent people. I moved from Washington state to the D.C. area to get away from him and didn’t tell anyone. So when the D.C. community was told to look for a box car and two Caucasians, I was on the lookout for both them and John. Even one of his friends called the sniper task force to let them know it could be John trying to kill me. It wasn’t until the authorities said they were going to name my ex-husband as the sniper did I realize he was killing innocent people to cover up my upcoming murder.

ESSENCE.COM: And have you come to terms with the fact that John is scheduled to be executed in a few weeks on November 11?
MUHAMMAD: I don’t have any unresolved feelings or need to speak with him. I’m done completely and I’m at peace with the whole situation. We knew he was sentenced to death but all were surprised when the date came so soon. My book release was decided months ago, before we knew.

ESSENCE.COM: Why did you allow your children to watch the news during the case and trial?
MUHAMMAD: This case was international. To put their heads in the sand and pretend it wasn’t happening wasn’t the best way to handle it. They needed to be exposed and know when they went to school and people were talking about the sniper, that it was their dad. We did drills on how they would answer questions. We are sorry for what happened but I didn’t want them to apologize for their dad’s actions or take responsibility. John hurt a lot of people and terrorized this entire area, and some people still blame me. As the closest thing to him, I just have to keep my shield up.

ESSENCE.COM: Both you and your kids have been through so much. How have you all found a sense of healing?
MUHAMMAD: It started with me. If I’m a mess, then my children are a mess, and I can’t have that. We tried to get counseling, and unfortunately the counselor was trying to write a book about us. It was such a high profile case and everyone was selling something. I got a book on counseling, and did it for us. My son who is now 19 years old, said it best to me, “As difficult as this is, I still love my dad. I can’t say I hate him because that would mean I hate a part of myself.” I’m very proud of them. My son is in college studying computer science and my daughters, who are 16 and 17, are in a school for the performing arts. One wants to be an opera singer and the other a model.

ESSENCE.COM: That’s great to hear. So what do you believe is the lesson for this country in the tragedy of John Allen Muhammad?
MUHAMMAD: If John would have been debriefed and counseled properly when he came back from a war zone, then I believe this would not have spiraled into what it became. I understand it’s better now for soldiers who come back from war, so I’m hopeful that any potential threat of this nature will now be caught because John lost control and he didn’t know how to get it back.

ESSENCE.COM: And why are you choosing to tell your story now?
MUHAMMAD: I didn’t have the physical scars to prove my abuse, and I’m pushing for legislation to help women in those cases. All of the deaths could have been saved if someone would have just listened to me and taken my pleas seriously. I now have an organization called “After the Trauma” which helps survivors of domestic violence. Cops tell women to wait until he does something physical to call but that can be your death. The most important part of my book is the safety plan in the back for abused women. I never tell a victim to leave, but I tell her to plan. That will save lives.

If you are in a similar situation and need help, call the 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). Mildred Muhammad’s book “Scared Silent” (Strebor Books, $29.99) is now in stores.

Link: http://www.essence.com/news/hot_topics_4/mildred_muhammad_dc_snipers_ex-wife_shar_1.php

278 Comments

  1. Jeaexcits
    Jeaexcits on 18 January, 2019 at 2:28 am

    Viagra Canadian Propecia En Perdida cialis crea adiccion Other Names For Amoxicillin Propecia Customer Reviews Thinning Hair Comparativa Viagra Levitra Cialis

    Reply
  2. Jeaexcits
    Jeaexcits on 23 January, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    Cialis Viagra Dosage cialis price Commande Cialis 20 Mg Free Shipping Fluoxetine Fluox

    Reply
  4. LesErus
    LesErus on 3 June, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    Cialis 2013 cialis Best Place To Buy Clomid Toradol Overnight Fedex

    Reply
  5. FranEaset
    FranEaset on 6 June, 2019 at 8:06 am

    Buy Acetazolamide No Prescription Acheter Du Baclofene Amoxicillin Trihydrate Ip 500mg Tablets viagra Cephalexin And Pain In Calf Radio Ad Viagra For Healthy Males

    Reply
  7. LesErus
    LesErus on 17 June, 2019 at 10:42 am

    Finasteride Propecia Side Effects Single Dosing Of Amoxicillin For Gonorrhea cialis 20mg for sale Propecia Target 800mg Viagra

    Reply
  8. FranEaset
    FranEaset on 21 June, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    Which Bacteria Does Cephalexin Treat Break 25 Mg Viagra Propecia Forehead Since cialis from canada Kamagra Oral Jelly Hamburg Cialis Online Sicuro

    Reply
  10. LesErus
    LesErus on 1 July, 2019 at 9:38 am

    Side Effects Of Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium Hydrochlorothiazide Us With Free Shipping By Money Order viagra buy accutane uk online Buy Single Viagra Pills Uk 369 Que Es El Cialis Y Para Que Sirve

    Reply
  14. FranEaset
    FranEaset on 24 July, 2019 at 7:21 am

    651 Filagra Super Active Licenziamento Levitra Prix Cialis 20mg viagra Viagra Zurich

    Reply
  15. LesErus
    LesErus on 26 July, 2019 at 9:29 am

    Buy Roche Doxycycline Online Uk Propecia Capsule Finasteride 1mg viagra Vente Kamagra En Suisse What Does Amoxicillin Rash Look Like

    Reply
  16. StevEral
    StevEral on 23 November, 2019 at 11:57 am

    Baclofene Sans Ordonnance Dutasteride Duprost On Line cialis Cialis Tablets For Sale

    Reply
  81. mvfq91
    mvfq91 on 14 January, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    I’ll right away seize your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me know in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.. pharmacy online prescription

    Reply
  97. kuiyei
    kuiyei on 19 January, 2020 at 10:42 pm

    Admiring the time and effort you put into your website and in depth information you offer. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account. viagra without doctor prescription

    Reply
  98. vvvh29
    vvvh29 on 20 January, 2020 at 2:52 pm

    I truly enjoy looking through on this internet site , it has excellent content . “Those who complain most are most to be complained of.” by Matthew Henry.. generic viagra

    Reply
  100. Clarkcep
    Clarkcep on 23 January, 2020 at 6:55 am

    Amazing write ups, Many thanks!
    [url=https://ciaonlinebuymsn.com/]canada online pharmacies[/url] [url=https://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/]canada pharmaceuticals online[/url] [url=https://viaonlinebuymsn.com/]generic viagra without a doctor prescription[/url] [url=https://canadianonlinepharmacytrust.com/]canadian pharmacy[/url]

    Reply
  101. pkdguy
    pkdguy on 23 January, 2020 at 8:58 am

    Hey there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!. canadian pharmacies

    Reply
  110. tvoz52
    tvoz52 on 28 January, 2020 at 1:24 am

    Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.. cialis 20mg prix en pharmacie

    Reply
  145. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 2 February, 2020 at 8:36 pm

    Reliable knowledge. Thank you! baclofen 10mg

    Reply
  150. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 3 February, 2020 at 6:19 am

    Seriously many of valuable information! wellbutrin sr

    Reply
  152. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 3 February, 2020 at 10:57 am

    Wonderful data. Regards. gabapentine

    Reply
  168. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 4 February, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Cheers! Loads of posts.
    hctz

    Reply
  172. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 5 February, 2020 at 5:59 am

    Information very well utilized.. phenergan

    Reply
  173. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 5 February, 2020 at 5:59 am

    You actually stated this really well. augmentin 625

    Reply
  193. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 7 February, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    Very well spoken of course. ! retin-a

    Reply
  194. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 7 February, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    You actually stated it very well. augmentin

    Reply
  223. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 12 February, 2020 at 1:24 am

    Very good forum posts, Thank you. fluconazole

    Reply
  226. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 12 February, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    Wow a lot of useful facts. motilium

    Reply
  229. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 13 February, 2020 at 8:16 am

    Terrific posts. Kudos! advair hfa

    Reply
  230. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 13 February, 2020 at 8:16 am

    Very good information. Appreciate it! Retin-a Cream

    Reply
  233. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 14 February, 2020 at 2:59 am

    Nicely put, Many thanks! advair

    Reply
  238. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 15 February, 2020 at 3:33 am

    You’ve made your position pretty nicely.! hidroclorotiazida

    Reply
  259. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 4 May, 2020 at 4:10 am

    is it legal to order cialis online http://tadal24ph.com – cialis lowest price 20mg cialis 20 mg 4 tablet fiyat

    Reply
  260. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 4 May, 2020 at 11:34 am

    how to buy levitra no prescription http://alexa24ph.com – generic viagra order viagra thailand

    Reply
  261. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 4 May, 2020 at 6:55 pm

    cialis canada cheap http://zithazi.com – generic zithromax daily cialis pills

    Reply
  262. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 5 May, 2020 at 2:06 am

    where can i buy cialis online http://tadal24ph.com – cialis cost viagra for sale za

    Reply
  263. Donaldnip
    Donaldnip on 23 May, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    viagra coupons viagra

    Reply
  268. Jeromenow
    Jeromenow on 22 June, 2020 at 9:18 pm

    coupon for cialis by manufacturer buy generic cialis
    bestpricemedz.com generic cialis

    Reply
  269. Jeromenow
    Jeromenow on 24 June, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    cialis 20 mg cialis vs viagra
    bestpricemedz.com cheap cialis

    Reply
  270. Jeromenow
    Jeromenow on 25 June, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    free cialis medication for providers cialis generic
    bestpricemedz.com cialis

    Reply
  272. Shannonfauth
    Shannonfauth on 1 July, 2020 at 10:39 pm

    cialis 20mg price cialis generic
    tadalafilprof.com – cialis tolerance

    Reply
  273. Shannonfauth
    Shannonfauth on 2 July, 2020 at 8:56 pm

    side effects for cialis cialis tadalafil
    tadalafilprof.com – walgreens price for cialis 20mg

    Reply
  275. Alvinflify
    Alvinflify on 5 August, 2020 at 12:36 pm

    cbd oil online cbd cream

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Ernestorefe Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by Comment SPAM Wiper.