SODUS, N.Y. -- The murder of a Sodus teen has a small Wayne County community, heartbroken.

"It doesn't matter how old. You know it's upsetting that someone's life has been taken. You can't ever get over it, it's a sad situation for all of the families involved," said Lorraine Walker, a Sodus resident.

Alyssa Taft’s father would not speak on camera Saturday, but said that Alyssa was a good daughter, and that her death still comes as a shock.

David Knight-Hollis, 19 of Sodus, has been charged with murder in connection to the incident. Wayne county Sheriff's deputies say she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in an act of domestic violence.

"I don't think she had any interest in rekindling a relationship with the defendant,” said Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts. “And I think her refusal was unacceptable to him, and sadly he did what he did. I mean we have a 17-year-old high school kid, who isn't going to graduate. Not going to see Christmas with her family. It's just unbelievably sad, over a relationship."

There are ways to identify an abusive relationship long before it turns deadly. Spectrum News also spoke with a victim's advocate from Willow Domestic Violence Center to find out.

"It doesn't always start with a beating,” said Pam Graham from the Willow Domestic Violence Center. “It starts with verbal abuse, name calling and put downs. It may go ahead from emotional abuse, humiliating a partner, making them feel guilty, keeping them away from family, and friends and activities."

The Willow Domestic Violence Center urges anyone who is in a relationship where they don't feel safe to seek help at your first indication.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help Alyssa Taft's family with burial costs: https://www.gofundme.com/alyssa-kimberlee-memorial-fund