Authorities say two people found dead earlier this week in Jacksonville’s Beach Haven neighborhood were involved in an apparent murder-suicide, according to information released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the victim’s attorney.
Officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported battery in progress around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, deputies discovered two individuals dead at the scene.
Through the family’s attorney, the victims were identified as Heather Dahlen and Lloyd Dahlen, who had reportedly been married since 2012.
Attorney Stephanie Sussman said Heather Dahlen had recently begun taking legal action against her husband following what she described as years of alleged domestic abuse. According to Sussman, Heather contacted her office Monday seeking a divorce. However, after discussing the circumstances surrounding the marriage, they instead pursued a protective injunction.
Sussman alleged that Heather had described a long history of abuse dating back to 2015, including verbal, emotional, and physical violence.
“She shared with me kind of an ongoing pattern of abuse,” Sussman said, adding that photographs documenting Heather’s injuries were among “some of the worst” she had seen during her legal career.
The attorney also stated that Heather had made multiple emergency room visits over the years for injuries she allegedly sustained during domestic incidents, though those circumstances were reportedly explained away at the time — something advocates say is common among domestic violence victims.
Police records reviewed in connection with the case show Lloyd Dahlen was arrested in 2015 following an incident in which investigators said he slapped Heather hard enough to knock her to the ground. The report also included allegations that he verbally threatened and insulted her during the altercation.
According to Sussman, a temporary injunction against Lloyd Dahlen was filed Tuesday morning — one day before the killings occurred — but had not yet been formally served.
Under Florida law, domestic violence injunctions are required to be served as quickly as possible, regardless of the time or day.
Sussman said Heather, members of her family, and her legal team repeatedly contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office seeking updates regarding service of the injunction.
“Heather, her family and my office called JSO multiple times to try to get a status on getting him served,” Sussman said. “All of us were either told there was no information, we couldn’t get an update, and a few times, her family members were given incorrect information.”
In response to questions surrounding the handling of the injunction, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released a detailed statement outlining the timeline of events.
According to JSO, Heather Dahlen was granted a temporary injunction on May 5. Officials said the order was entered into the court’s automated electronic notification system by the Clerk of Court, not by the sheriff’s office itself.
JSO stated that its Civil Unit did not receive notification of the injunction through the electronic system until May 7 — after the fatal incident had already occurred.
The sheriff’s office also confirmed that its communications center received several calls from Heather Dahlen on the evening of May 6 requesting service of the injunction. A family member also reportedly contacted dispatch that night.
During conversations with emergency dispatchers between 7:41 p.m. and 8:12 p.m., JSO said Heather reported she was in safe locations and was informed that an officer would be sent to meet with her when one became available.
Authorities said the request was classified as a “priority four” call because Heather was not considered to be in immediate danger at the time of the conversations. However, JSO noted that a high volume of higher-priority emergency calls in the area delayed officer response.
Before officers were able to meet with her, investigators say Heather returned to the residence she shared with Lloyd Dahlen.
The case remains under active investigation.
Domestic violence advocates say the tragedy highlights the dangers victims can face during attempts to leave abusive relationships — a period experts often describe as one of the most dangerous times for survivors.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or fearing for their safety is encouraged to seek help immediately through local law enforcement or victim advocacy organizations.
Support is available through Hubbard House’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 904-354-3114.