Animal Rights Advocate Allegedly Shot Dead, Rolled Up In Rug By Her Husband

Georgia Petsch devoted her life to saving the lives of neglected and abused animals—but she’d lose her own life in a horrific act of violence.

“Georgia was a woman who fought hard to be a voice for the many voiceless animals in our community – and yet she ended up being a victim herself,” The Rescue Project, where Georgia had volunteered as the outreach coordinator, wrote on Facebook. “No one knew the hell she was living with behind closed doors. If only we could have saved her life.”

Authorities have charged Petsch’s husband Brandon Petsch, 36, with second-degree murder and armed criminal action after the 38-year-old was found shot to death and rolled up in an area rug in the couple’s south Kansas City home, according to The Kansas City Star.

Brandon was found wounded in another room of the home with a firearm under his head in what investigators believe was likely a suicide attempt; he survived the attempt and is currently in police custody at an area hospital.

Georgia Petsch Photo: Facebook

Amidst the blood-spattered walls and photos of the couple in happier times, investigators also found a 34-page handwritten note in the home “presumably written by a male about his female spouse,” according to a charging document obtained by the local paper.

The note allegedly described how the couple had argued before the writer admitted to shooting his wife three times. In the letter, the writer offered an “apology for his actions” and stated a “desire to end his life,” prosecutors said.

Investigators also found two firearms, seemingly covered in blood, a bloody mop in the kitchen, blood on the dining room floor and an empty bottle of Pine Sol, according to court documents.

The couple had been married just over a year.

Police were called to the home by Brandon’s father after he became concerned when his son and daughter-in-law weren't answering their cell phones.

Those who knew Georgia are now left grieving the terrible loss.

"It was very shocking to wake up to that phone call," her friend Blythe Edelman told KSHB. "To find out she had been in fear and pain, I think is the hardest part. Just knowing that not only did he take her from us, but he took her from us in such terrible way."

Georgia had worked at Johnson County Developmental Supports helping adults with developmental disabilities get jobs and lead full lives.

She had also dedicated her life to helping animals, regularly volunteering with the Rescue Project, an animal rescue group.

"What defines her is all the things she did for people. All the things she did for animals in the community. The love she had for friends, and the light she brought into a room," Edelman told KMBC.

Andrea Knobbe recalled volunteering alongside Georgia nearly every day with the animal rescue group—often taking to Kansas City streets to help animals in need.

“We would go out on the streets and immediately she saw an animal, stop the van, pull over and it wasn’t even a question whether she was going to help,” Knobbe told KSHB.

In its Facebook post confirming Georgia’s death, the Rescue Project asked those in the community to make a donation to a domestic violence group or local animal shelter in Georgia’s honor to “highlight the hidden darkness of domestic abuse.”

“We love you Georgia—your legacy will live on,” they wrote.

Georgia’s friends are said to be caring for her two rescue dogs, Elvis and Violet.

Brandon was in stable condition at an area hospital Monday, according to the local paper.