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Woman Shot & Killed By Ex-Husband Went To Police For Help

PARKER, Colo. (CBS4)- Court documents show that a woman from Parker feared for her life months before she was shot and killed.

Donna Royer was shot and killed by her ex-husband Tuesday in a McDonald's parking lot at Main Street and Parker Road. Her two children were inside the fast food restaurant when she was shot.

Police found Mark Royer's body in a field a short distance away. He had turned the gun on himself.

A 15-year-old witness held Donna in the final moments of her life.

"I told her that it was going to be okay and that her kids were inside and she'll be okay. I have her and just to fight," said Christina Castello.

Donna, 40, had filed a protective order against her ex-husband in March but chose not to move forward with it. In the court document, she claimed her ex-husband was stalking her by calling her, following her and sending her harassing emails and text messages.

"She's finally at peace. She was scared to death," said Donna's friend and former neighbor D'Arcye Rogers. "He was going to shoot her, then shoot himself."

Donna also went to police in December 2010 for similar circumstances but after an investigation it was determined that no criminal activity occurred.

On a Facebook memorial page for Donna, friends, family and even strangers have posted comments, mourning the loss of the mother of three.

"She was an amazing person & I loved her so much. I, too, am angered that my dad is responsible for such a tragedy BUT am devastated at his loss too," posted Donna's stepdaughter Amber Liyster.

Rogers said Donna recently became engaged and was pregnant.

"Everything was perfect and he knew, he told me he was going to be good about it. Life was going on. This was not supposed to happen," said Rogers.

Mark Royer was a former research assistant at the CU School of Medicine. He resigned in August. Since then he has been working from home.

A fund has been established for the Royer children. Donations can be made to the "Memorial Fund for Donna Royer's Children" at any Wells Fargo Branch.

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