ANNANDALE, Va. — Nearly three weeks after she was killed inside her vehicle in Annandale, family and friends gathered for a memorial service to honor 30-year-old Anesha Isaacs.
They celebrated her life at First Baptist Church of Glenarden on Thursday. Isaacs is remembered as a compassionate, funny, and lively person who loved to read and write.
Among the people who spoke during the service was her employer Jennifer Zoerkler-Morgan of VHO, Inc.
“We have so many things to remember about her and we’re going to miss her terribly,” Zoerkler-Morgan told WUSA9. “We remember her warmth, her caring personality, her humor and her beautiful laugh and smile.”
Fairfax County Police said Isaacs died as she left work for the day. They accused her ex-boyfriend Tylen Jennings of blocking her in the parking lot and shooting her multiple times when she couldn’t get out.
Isaacs was on the phone with 911 and told the operator how he was wanted, and she had an active protective order against him.
“She was screaming, and she was no longer responding to the call taker,” dispatch audio said.
Zoerkler-Morgan said the team felt protective of her because of her domestic dispute history.
“We knew what she was going through and having to obtain restraining orders,” she added. “Some of us have experienced similar situations, so, we were very protective over her.”
Court records show Jennings had an outstanding warrant from November in Prince George’s County for assault, which was served on the same day Isaacs died.
According to loved ones, Isaacs moved out of her apartment to live with family because of her ex-boyfriend, who now faces a second-degree murder charge.
Fairfax County Police Director of Victim Services Division Saly Fayez said it’s time to make changes systemwide. She said it’s not asking what else a domestic violence victim could’ve done but what more could the system do to protect people.
“If somebody wants to kill someone, a piece of paper is not going to protect them,” Fayez said WUSA9. “Domestic violence and dealing with it is not just one entity. I think we can't ask the question of what we can do better after somebody is murdered. These are questions and worked on before anyone is killed.”