UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Habematolel Pomo tribe of Upper Lake has started a fund to help the children of a tribal member who died last week during a domestic violence assault.
Vanessa Yvette Niko, 35, of Upper Lake died on Friday as a result of an assault by the father of her three young children, Willy Tujays Timmons, 37, also of Upper Lake, as Lake County News has reported.
“The Habematolel of Upper Lake Tribe is deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely death of tribal member Vanessa Niko,” said Habematolel Tribal Chair Sherry Treppa.
Treppa said the tribe has opened and contributed to a charitable fund, the Vanessa Niko Memorial Fund, to aid her family.
The fund has been established at the Lakeport branch of Mendo Lake Credit Union, located at 963 11th St. in Lakeport, Treppa said.
Treppa said those wishing to contribute can drop by the MLCU Lakeport branch and make a check payable to The Vanessa Niko Memorial Fund Account; mail checks payable to The Vanessa Niko Memorial Fund to MLCU at P.O. Box 520, Lakeport CA 95453; or for wire information contact MLCU at 707-468-0161.
“Please join the Tribe in keeping Vanessa and her family in your prayers through these difficult times,” Treppa said.
Timmons remains in custody with bail set at more than $1.1 million. He is next scheduled to appear in court on July 11, according to jail records.
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