Marlene Richter, executive director of Shade Tree, said the downtown shelter has seen an uptick in the number of women and children seeking help because of an abusive family member whos not an intimate partner. Since March, about four or five families a month have sought assistance at the shelter.
Included in Tyson's New Zealand visa application was a character reference for him and his wife, Lakiha, written by Marlene Richter, the executive director of Las Vegas-based women's shelter The Shade Tree.