Every three seconds, someone in the United States becomes a victim of violence.
This Sunday’s Zombie Run For Your Life walk/run at Lake St. Clair Metro Park was organized to honor Theresa DeKeyzer and all victims of domestic abuse, bullying and post-traumatic stress disorder.
‘We can’t change what happened to Theresa,’ said event organizer, Victoria Hargan, a forensic behavioral health specialist with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Institute of Roseville. ‘But we can educate the community and take a proactive stance to promote healthier peer relationships in the future.’
DeKeyzer, 22, disappeared June 15 following a domestic assault by her boyfriend, Scott Wobbe; her body was found Sept. 18 in a plastic drum at a Plymouth Township storage facility, according to Warren police. Wobbe has since been charged with first degree murder in connection to her death.
‘Bullying and domestic violence leads to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide,’ said Hargan, adding that October is Domestic Violence and Bullying Prevention Month. ‘If we can reach these kids at a young age, we really can make a difference. It’s all about prevention.’
Hargan, a St. Clair Shores resident, was in the midst of planning the institute’s third walk/run of the year designed to raise awareness, when news of DeKeyzer’s horrifying death reached her.
‘It hit me really hard,’ said Hargan, whose four children were friends with DeKeyzer growing up in St. Clair Shores, having played sports together and graduated from Lakeview High School. ‘We knew we had to do something to honor her memory.’
Registration for the event begins at 3 p.m., followed by the 5K Zombie Run at 4 p.m.
The 5K Halloween Parade walk, in which participants wear their Halloween costumes – why use your costume only once – takes place at 5 p.m.
A candlelight vigil including light refreshments, will celebrate the life of Theresa DeKeyzer, beginning at dusk, or approximately 6 p.m. Friends and family members will have the opportunity to share their memories.
‘The vigil gives Theresa’s family and friends and the entire community, the opportunity to come together and somehow make sense out of what happened,’ Hargan said.
Interested runners can take part in the Zombie ‘game’, in which zombie volunteers attempt to steal one of three sashes worn at the waste by each participant in designated zombie zones. The goal is to cross the finish line with at least one remaining flag. Those who lose all three flags must then join the zombie ‘mob’.
Online registration for the event ends Friday Oct. 24 at zombierunforyourlife.com; walk ins can still register on the day of the event. Proceeds benefit PTSD services and donations will benefit the DeKeyzer family.
Cost is $15 for students, $25 for adults, the family package is $40 and $60 buys six tickets for groups of six.
Lake St. Clair Metro Park is located at 31300 Metropolitan Parkway, Harrison Township.
For more information visit zombierunforyourlife.com
