Three children in Northern California are now without both parents after their father allegedly fatally stabbed their mother, just months after a restraining order had been issued against him.
Thomas John Iovenitti, 40, has been charged with murdering his wife, Alisha Iovenitti. The charge came roughly five months after his arrest in connection with a separate alleged domestic violence case involving her, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
The children, who are 9, 9 and 10 years old, are staying with relatives and family friends after their mother was killed at the family’s Concord home on Oct. 23, according to a GoFundMe campaign.
Jennifer Curry, who organized the fundraiser, hopes to collect $100,000 to help support the children. Nearly $70,000 had been raised by late Sunday afternoon.
“The family unit is working tirelessly together to give them a stable home, counseling, and routines that feel normal again,” Curry wrote in the fundraiser.
Police were called to the home on Panoramic Drive at about 8:50 p.m. Oct. 23 after receiving reports of a disturbance involving a man with a weapon and a woman.
When officers arrived, they tried to contact the people inside, but no one responded. They ultimately entered the residence by force and found both adults with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Alisha was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency efforts. Her husband was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Prosecutors have charged Thomas Iovenitti with murder and with attempting to dissuade a witness from reporting a crime.
The fatal confrontation followed an earlier case in which authorities accused Iovenitti of assaulting his wife.
Prosecutors say that incident occurred May 9 and led to charges including assault with a deadly weapon, assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, corporal injury to a spouse and false imprisonment.
At a May 19 hearing, a judge set bail at $1,000, despite opposition from the District Attorney’s Office.
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The court also ordered Iovenitti to remain away from his wife and barred him from entering the family residence.
Five months later, Alisha was dead.
In connection with the May allegations, Iovenitti also faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and corporal injury to a spouse.
He additionally faces five misdemeanor charges, including one count of violating a court order and four counts of child endangerment.
Iovenitti remains jailed without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was expected to be arraigned in late October.
If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 29 years to life in state prison.
The fundraiser offers a glimpse into the children’s lives and interests.
Alisha’s daughter enjoys art and music. One of her sons is passionate about baseball and football, while the other plays soccer and baseball and is known for his playful, mischievous spirit.
“Alisha filled their lives with sports, friends, and community. We want to protect that for them,” the fundraiser says.
Donations are intended to help pay for housing, food, clothing, health care, counseling and transportation. The campaign also aims to create an education fund for the children’s future.
The fundraiser says the family’s savings have been exhausted, leaving the children without a financial cushion. A trustee will oversee the donations on their behalf.
“All funds raised, after payment processing fees, will be used for their care and future,” the GoFundMe statement says.