Sacramento, California – Tiera Rivers, a 26-year-old woman known for her cheerful personality and kind heart, tragically lost her life on April 19, 2025, while trying to protect her older sister during a domestic violence incident in a Sacramento apartment.
Tiera’s story is not just a tale of heartbreak—it’s also a story of bravery, sisterhood, and hope, as her family now works to turn their pain into a mission to help others.
What Happened to Tiera?
On that day, Tiera was at her sister’s apartment when she walked in on a heated argument between her sister Amber Rivers and Amber’s ex-boyfriend. According to KCRA-3 News, the dispute quickly turned violent.
“My sister tried to protect me, and she lost her life while doing so,” Amber said tearfully. “I was trying to help her, trying to give her hope.”
Later that day, police confirmed that the ex-boyfriend died by suicide, following the fatal shooting of Tiera.
A Loving Sister and Joyful Soul
Tiera’s younger sister, Sydney Rivers, remembered her as someone who always brought joy and laughter to the family.
“She was goofy, she had this lighthearted energy, and she always made sure we were okay,” Sydney shared.
Her family describes Tiera as a selfless protector, a young woman full of life who stepped in during a moment of crisis to defend someone she loved.
Turning Grief Into Purpose
Now, in honour of Tiera’s bravery, the family is launching a new initiative called:
Tiera Rivers’ Sisters Against Spousal Abuse
This organisation will focus on supporting women experiencing domestic violence, offering them help, resources, and safe options to escape harmful situations.
“We want to help women around the world who are going through this,” said Amber. “So no one else has to go through what we did.”
Community Support and Awareness
A GoFundMe page created by the family describes Tiera as “a beautiful young princess who brought so much joy to our lives” and says the pain of losing her is unimaginable.
Their goal is to honour her by creating awareness, helping women in danger, and making sure Tiera’s courage is never forgotten.
This tragic case highlights the very real dangers of domestic and intimate partner violence—not just for those in the relationship, but for anyone who tries to step in.