Melissa Brooks Batten (March 2, 1972 – July 29, 2008),[1] a software development engineer, was murdered by her husband Joseph Eugene Batten (January 23, 1972 – July 29, 2008),[2][3] a video game programmer, in Redmond, Washington, United States.
[8][9] Melissa moved into a friend's apartment in Redmond, Washington, soon after, but Joseph learned where she was staying.
[8] A mutual friend was able to convince him to sell his .22-caliber handgun back to the dealer, but Joseph later purchased a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver and a 9-millimeter Taurus semiautomatic.
[12] Investigators at the scene discovered fuzzy handcuffs, hardcore pornography, an 8-inch cutting knife, plus $6,000 in the trunk of Joseph's Mercedes sedan.
[4] Microsoft provided grief counseling to Melissa's surviving relatives, and helped family and colleagues organize memorials.