Brother remembers sister, slain DeKalb woman: ‘Someone whose love knew no bounds’

Editor’s note: Are you suffering from domestic abuse or violence? Safe Passage, a DeKalb-based shelter and advocacy agency, offers a 24/7 crisis hotline. Call 815-756-5228 or text 815-393-1995. You also can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

DeKALB – A brother is remembering his sister, 31-year-old DeKalb woman Jasmine Dejournette, for her kindness and selfless nature in the wake of her violent death this week.

She was beaten to death Tuesday, and the man she was dating was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in connection with the killing, authorities said.

In a lengthy Facebook post he shared with Shaw Local, Dejournette’s brother, Kevin Catlin, mourned his sister. She served in his wedding party in Michigan on Oct. 26, which he called “a blessing and honor” in an email to Shaw Local.

“She was one of the sweetest, most caring souls to ever walk this earth – someone whose love knew no bounds, whose heart was always open and whose kindness never wavered, no matter how others may have treated her in the past,” Catlin wrote in his online tribute. “Jasmine loved deeply, forgave freely and cared selflessly.”

Catlin wrote that his running joke with his sister was that she was the “second mom” and he the “true dad.”

“She carried so much love within her, just like our mother, always putting others before herself, always making sure everyone around her felt seen, felt loved, felt valued,” Catlin wrote. “I always asked if she would be at family gatherings, because if Jasmine was there, you knew the room would be full of joy.”

Loved ones have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family to help lay Dejournette to rest, calling her a “beautiful soul” who always put others' needs before her own. As of press time, $5,990 had been raised from 92 donations.

[ DeKalb-based resource for those suffering from domestic violence ]

The family also posted that they wanted the GoFundMe and Dejournette’s story to be a reminder of the perils of domestic violence.

“We also hope that Jasmine’s story will serve as a reminder of the importance of love, kindness and standing against domestic violence,” the campaign posting reads. “Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts during this difficult time.”

Dejournette was pronounced dead Tuesday morning at her home on West Hillcrest Drive, according to DeKalb County court records. She succumbed to what police described as “significant facial injuries.” A DeKalb police forensic pathologist said her cause of death was brain hemorrhaging due to excessive blunt force trauma, court records show.

Devonne L. Montgomery, 30, a convicted felon, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, felony aggravated domestic battery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, records show. If convicted, he could face a life sentence. He’s being held without release at the DeKalb County jail pending trial.

Dejournette was a dancer and a caretaker who helped the family get through the loss of their other brother Eric, Catlin wrote. He called on loved ones to support their grieving mother.

Catlin said his sister’s favorite movie was “Love & Basketball” and that the pair shared a connection through music.

“I wish I could dance with you one more time,” Catlin wrote. “I wish I could hear your laughter fill the room again. But even in this unbearable grief, I know you are with me always. I am so grateful you were in my wedding, that I have those memories to hold onto forever. I will always love you. I will always miss you.”