Family Of Murdered Tulsa Mother Claims Killer Planned Attack

Wednesday, the three children who witnessed their mother murdered Sunday told investigators what they saw.

Beverly Stratton's ex-fiancé is accused of killing her and then turning the gun on him.

Family members said the boys claimed Robert Tillotson told them about his plan to kill their mother, but also say he planned to kill himself.

Tillotson survived, but as soon as he is released from the hospital he will be booked into jail.

"Junior called me and said, 'Aunt Wendy, something happened to my mom. My dad shot my mom' and I told him ‘Junior, call the police I am on my way,'" Stratton's sister, Wendy Pennington said.

By the time she got there it was too late. Her sister was dead.

Wednesday, nine-year-old Xavier, 11-year-old Chech and 12-year-old Junior had to relive the horror they witnessed Sunday night when they told investigators what happened.

10/26/2014 Related Story: Police: Tulsa Man Murders Mother Of Three, Tries To Kill Himself

“They'll never be able to lose that memory, and I would love to take it from them but I can't. But for them to have to see everything and talk about it, they are really strong," Pennington said.

The boys are also in shock. The 11 year old asked to hug his father before he was taken away.

Pennington said the family is focusing on burying Stratton Saturday, then they will put the children in counseling.

“They are holding it together; I am proud of them for that because I can't. I can't hold it together because I miss her so much, but I can't cry like this because then they will see me and I have to be strong for them because I was their other mom," said Pennington.

She said their family moved to Tulsa from southern California a few years ago; and after an 11-year relationship Stratton ended things but allowed Tillotson to stay in her home.

"She let him stay there while he got on his feet. Love is very blind, love is hurtful, love is painful, nobody expected it, nobody knew it," Stratton's sister said.

Now they are focusing on honoring how Stratton lived. She was always smiling, had a big heart and was very forgiving.

That's why her sister said she has already forgiven the man accused of killing her sister.

Tillotson pleaded guilty in September to domestic assault.

The family has set up a fund for counseling and expenses to help the children. Anyone who wants to give a contribution can go to any CHASE bank and make a deposit.

Deposits can only be made in the form of a money order, personal check, and cashiers check.

For more information you can contact Wendy Pennington at 918-508-3341.