Murdered Mother of 4 Reached Out for Help

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Joshua Durcho, charged with the murder of Summer Rust and her four children, is expected to arrive in Canadian County early Thursday.

Read the affidavit of Durcho's charges.

Robbie Booth, Rust's brother, said his sister's life came to a senseless end and investigators believe Durcho is to blame.

"He wasn't a good guy, but I didn't suspect him of being capable of this," Booth said.

Marcia Smith is the executive director of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Smith said what happened to Rust and her children is a classic case of a statewide problem.

"I don't know what happened, but something went terribly, terribly wrong," Smith said.

Thus far in 2009, nine people across the state have been killed in domestic violence-related homicides.

Smith said what's unusual about Rust's case, is that the 25-year-old sought help.

"We know this woman received services from a domestic violence program," Smith said.

Rust was in touch with the family resource OCADVSA just before Christmas, proof her problems with Durcho began long before their Sunday night breakup.

"It's been said that 75 percent of domestic violence homicides happen after the couple is no longer together," Smith said.

According to investigators, hours after the couple's split, Durcho strangled Rust and her four children to death.

He's now charged with five counts of first-degree murder.

"He strangled them with his hands," Booth said. "That had to been terrifying."

Smith said the way Durcho allegedly killed his victims is intimate.

"That's the most personal kind of death you can do," Smith said. "You really have to get close and personal with an individual by putting your hands around their neck."

State Representative Pam Peterson is filing a bill to enhance the definition of what strangulation means.

If passed, the language would include covering the nose and mouth in order to cut off the air supply, something the current law doesn't include.

An account has been set up to help pay for funeral costs. If you would like to donate, please send donations to:

Canadian State Bank
Attn: Summer Garas-Rust Family Trust Fund
220 S. Bickford Avenue
El Reno, OK 73036

Donations can also be made at the Lucky Star Casino.