Utica Police say a man abducted his ex-fiancé, and killed her and himself on Monday.

"I don't know if there are any outside agencies that have taken domestic reports, but we have no indication of any domestic violence incidences between Mock and Conkling," said Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.

Domestic violence awareness advocates said incidents aren't always reported. They said changes need to happen.

"The only way we're gonna change this is by reaching out to children, and teaching them that this behavior is not ok, that abusive behavior is not ok. That's how we're gonna change it and there's never any money for that," said YWCA Mohawk Valley CEO Dianne Stancato.

As important as funding for programs and education is, the Domestic Violence Program Director at Catholic Charities of Herkimer Counties said offenders also need to be held accountable and society's perception needs to change.

"When somebody goes to family court for relief from abuse in their relationship, it has to be viewed as a serious matter, not just one individual trying to use the court as a means to get an advantage in a situation," said Catholic Charities of Herkimer County Domestic Violence Program Director Jackie Ward.

Jackie Ward has been working the field for more than 20 years.

She said people need to look for early signs of domestic violence.

"Murder is the final act of domestic violence," Ward said. "There may have just been small warning signs; controlling behavior, jealousy."

The recent alleged murder-suicide was the second homicide in Utica in just the last few weeks, believed to have been domestic-violence related.

Police said they work with a YWCA Mohawk Valley advocate to investigate domestic violence incidents and follow-up with victims.

"There's a lot of help out there, a lot of services, but one of the frustrating parts about investigating domestic violence matters is that you can't always get people to take the help that's offered," Williams said.

Victims are urged to call domestic violence hotlines. Catholic Charities of Herkimer County urges domestic violence victims to call them at (315) 866-0458. The Domestic Violence Program Director said anyone can call to try and get help.