MIDVALE, Utah – Friends and family gathered to honor and remember a young mother who lost her life in what was considered to be the first domestic violence-related homicide since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loved ones gathered on Saturday to remember 26-year-old Miranda Schachinger, who was found dead inside a Midvale apartment on Friday.

They wore purple ribbons to raise awareness about domestic violence and said she was so much more than how she died — a loving mother with a passion for helping others.

“She was an amazing mom. Her son loves her more than anyone in the world,” said Andrea Stubbs, Schachinger’s former mother-in-law. “She worked at an assisted living facility as their resident care coordinator, so she was in charge of all of the CNAs and just made sure that place ran.”

Schachinger, originally from Alaska, moved to Utah a few years ago. Family members said her dream was to become a nurse.

“She just texted me two days ago. The last text I got from her was her interim report from school… and she said, ‘I am halfway there,'” Stubbs said. “She was so proud of herself — 4.0 (GPA), working a full-time job and raising her child.”

But it’s a dream that was ripped away from Schachinger.

Officials with the Unified Police Department found Schachinger dead inside her apartment in what they suspect was a murder-suicide committed by a man she started dating a few weeks ago.

Police responded to a domestic violence call at Candlestick Lane Apartments, located at 7800 South and 80 East, Friday morning.

Officers said they suspect Schachinger died before their arrival and the suspect, 26-year-old Isaac Andre Renfro, shot himself after an hourslong standoff.

“I didn’t know him…anything (about him) at all. I just knew that she was seeing someone,” said Todd Stubbs, Schachinger’s former father-in-law.

Schachinger’s loved ones said the tragedy completely shocked them.

“She was smart and she was strong and she knew that she could leave. She knew that and I think she was trying to,” the Stubbs said. “I think it just proves that it can happen to anyone.”

The Stubbs said they were close with Schachinger, even after her divorce from their son.

“We were very close. We watched her son all the time,” Tony Stubbs said. “She’s still one of our family.”

“She was my chosen daughter,” Andrea Stubbs added.

On Saturday, they had the difficult task of telling their grandson his mother wouldn’t be coming home.

It’s why the couple shared this message: “If you’re in an abusive relationship, please tell somebody, please, reach out. We wish we could go back in time and just wrap her up and protect her…keep her safe,” they said.

Schachinger’s loved ones said her mother lives in Alaska but will be flying in.

Police said their investigation was on-going. Court records showed Renfo was booked for an assault in Oct. 2018.

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If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, you can reach the Utah Domestic Violence Hotline (Utah Link line) at 1-800-897-LINK for help and resources statewide.

Individuals can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Salt Lake City residents can also reach out to SLCPD’s 24-hour hotline directly at 801-580-7969. All services are free, and callers can get information anonymously.