Joshua Salyers was charged Tuesday morning with open murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend.
Police say he cut the throat of 22-year-old Barbara Dailey at her Muskegon home Sunday night. She was the mother of three young girls. Salyers, 29, was denied bond during his first court appearance.
He appeared in court by a video connection to the Muskegon County Jail.
Dailey's relatives and friends comforted each other when Salyers face appeared on monitors in the courtroom.
Jennifer Brege says seeing the man who police believe killed her cousin resulted in a physical response.
"Balling my fists up, I had to control myself, my body was shaking, just seeing his face after what he has done," Brege said.
Megan Hogan says her friend's short relationship with Salyers ended weeks ago.
Hogan says Dailey was moving on and made that clear to friends and family members. In recent weeks, Salyers had been making numerous posts on social media likely in an effort to restart the failed relationship. Hogan says he had been told numerous times to stop showing up at her home.
"Had he called 911 right away, we might be at the hospital with her right now instead of planning her funeral," Hogan said.
Family members say Dailey was strong and didn't say much about the obsession Salyers had with her. Dailey's aunt, Brenda Cook, hopes this act of domestic violence will be a lesson to other families. She believes now Salyers obsession with Dailey was a warning sign.
Outside the courthouse, the group took the first step on a path they hope ends with "justice for Barbie." They say her three young children are safe in the care of their fathers.
"He took her from here babies, he took here from family members and friends, he stole her from us," said Melissa Michael, a sister of Dailey.
"He is going to get a long time, but someday he will get out," said Jamie Ercavich, a friend of Dailey. "It's my fear is the things that he has done and the things that I'm hearing about him that he will do this again.
A candlelight vigil to remember Dailey will be held at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Landing.
Organizers say it is also an opportunity for anyone in the community to take a stand to end domestic violence. Friends set up a GoFundMe to assist the family.