Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story

Donna comes back to her hometown in Colorado from California for the summer, initiating the story of her past. During this visit, she reconnects with her old life and begins to meet new people, including Dennis Yaklich. Her return marks the start of her involvement in a complex relationship that will ultimately lead to tragedy.

Donna immediately falls in love with Dennis, a former aerobics instructor and police officer. She quickly bonds with him and his stepson Patty, who is grieving her mother's recent death. Donna decides not to return to California, choosing to stay and help take care of Patty.

Donna moves in with Dennis to care for Patty, and the two get engaged shortly after. Their quick engagement marks the beginning of their intense relationship, which soon becomes strained due to Dennis's behavior. Donna’s choice to stay triggers the events leading to domestic violence.

Dennis starts to shoot up with steroids after being insulted at the gym, leading to violent outbursts. His behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable and aggressive, creating a dangerous environment for Donna. His violent episodes cause fear in Donna and influence subsequent events.

Dennis’s steroid use results in violent episodes, including a night where he refuses to sleep and violently orders Donna to leave the room. His aggression begins to manifest in physical and emotional abuse, affecting Donna’s safety. The violence contributes to her growing fear and distress.

Donna finds out she is pregnant and begs Dennis to stop using steroids to protect her and their unborn child. Dennis ignores her pleas and continues his substance abuse. His refusal to change leads to violent incidents, including raping Donna while their newborn cries nearby.

Donna tries to escape with her son Denny but is kidnapped and held captive by Dennis. She seeks help from his friend Jerry, who reveals their conversation to Dennis, escalating the threat against her. Dennis's threats and violence force Donna into a desperate situation.

Five years later, Donna dedicates herself to raising Denny while Dennis becomes obsessed with the gym. After Patty reveals she is pregnant, Dennis blames Donna for the pregnancy and abuses his authority, forcing Donna to flee with Denny to a shelter. The domestic violence continues to escalate.

Dennis abuses his power to threaten Donna and Susie, warning her he'll kill and dismember Susie if she tries to escape with Denny again. He mocks Donna’s suspicion that his first wife was murdered, and offers her his gun, but it clicks, signaling his volatility and control over her.

Out of options and fearing for her life, Donna hires Eddie Greenwell to kill Dennis. Eddie, with his brother Charlie’s help, ambushes and shoots Dennis in his truck one night. This act of desperation temporarily ends the violence, but ultimately leads to Donna’s legal troubles.

Donna is arrested after her involvement in Dennis’s murder is exposed. Her trial becomes a media circus, and although acquitted of first-degree murder, she is convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. She receives a 40-year prison sentence, which is later upheld on appeal.

Denny is raised by Susie and later confronts Donna in prison. He resents her absence during his childhood and claims she could have avoided prison if she had killed Dennis herself. Despite this, he affirms his love for her and shares his hopes for her parole.

In her voiceover, Donna reflects on the disparity in prison sentences for women killing husbands versus men killing wives. She learns she will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years, and her story emphasizes the tragic consequences of domestic violence and desperation.