The 14-year manslaughter sentence meted out to Arnold Astwood marks the end of a tragic chapter for the family of victim Ruth Binns.

Less than a year before her death at his hands, she lost her brother Edward (Sleepy) Dill, who was stabbed to death by his girlfriend Andrina Smith in the midst of a domestic dispute. Smith is serving an eight-year sentence.

Her father Allan Dill who had ten children in total was found dead from natural causes in the doorway of a Hamilton store just six weeks ago.

Ruth's sister, and Mr. Dill's daughter, Alea Dill believes his death was sparked by the stress of all that happened to the family.

"My family has been through too much. I lost my brother to domestic violence and my sister," she said. "It's easy to forgive but it's hard to forget. We will never forget what Astwood has done and what he's put my family though."

She praised Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves for sending out a message yesterday that women must not tolerate domestic violence.

"If you're having issues, one of you should just walk out of it," she urged.