In a year of several noteworthy stories, some stories stood out more than others in southwestern Connecticut.

Below are the Top 5 most viewed stories on News12.com for 2022 from News 12 Connecticut.

Julie Minogue feared Ewen Dewitt, the father of her 3-year-old son, was going to kill her. The Milford mom filed for a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, writing, "I am scared for the safety of my children and I. Ewen has got himself into a lot of trouble with drugs and alcohol and I'm scared he's going to kill me." On Dec. 1, a judge granted the request. Five days later, Dewitt allegedly killed Minogue in her home while the toddler and her 17-year-old son were present. At the time, Minogue also had a protective order against Dewitt that extended to her two minor children after he was arrested on assault and risk of injury charges in 2019.

Prosecutors say the 62-year-old Bridgeport man sent obscene pictures and messages to an undercover FBI agent posing as a 14-year-old girl. School officials say he was arrested on federal charges.

MORE: Most-viewed stories on News12.com around the tri-state

A woman was found shot to death in a Bridgeport home in May. The shooting prompted calls from local officials to stop the gun violence.

After a quick-moving freezing rain storm, state police reported multiple pileup crashes throughout the state in early January.

Maria Rivera says she found her son, AJ, clinging to life in his bedroom with a window curtain wrapped around his neck. She shared her story exclusively with News 12 Connecticut.