The family of a Bridgeport woman who police say was killed by her estranged boyfriend hopes their tragedy might spare other women in abusive relationships.

Jennifer Brelsford's family says they feared for her safety for years, and when they learned she was dead - there was no question as to who was responsible.

"We immediately knew who hurt her," says Melissa Ruminot, Brelsford's cousin.

She was found Sunday night in the home she had shared with her estranged boyfriend, with her neck sliced with a razor.

Police say Corey Ramos killed Brelsford and tried to flee the country.

"We fought like heck to get her out of this relationship," says Ruminot.

Ruminot says the family succeeded twice during the couple's eight years together but her cousin always went back.

"It was mainly a very volatile, physical, abusive relationship," she says. "She knew it wasn’t right. She knew she didn’t deserve to be treated that way."

The couple shared a 3-year-old son, Kayden - a child Brelsford called her miracle baby.

"She really just loved being a mom more than anything else," Ruminot says.

It's a role that will now fall to her family, making sure Kayden is taken care of and knows he's loved and protected.

"We’re having to figure out how to explain to a little boy how he lost not only his mom but both of his parents," says Ruminot.

Ramos was captured last night after crossing into Canada illegally from Vermont. It came a week after West Haven police arrested him for breach of peace after an incident with Brelsford at her mother's home.

The judge issued a protective order, but it failed to keep Brelsford safe.

"If this inspires somebody to get up and walk out, and say that you are worth more than this, then her legacy can continue to live on," says Ruminot. "Not just in Kayden, but in those stories and in that message."

Police say Ramos appeared in court Tuesday morning in Vermont on a fugitive from justice warrant. He's expected to be charged with Brelsford's murder in the coming days and brought back to Connecticut to face those allegations.

A fundraising campaign has been set up to help provide for Kayden.