SE Woman Who Sought Protection Is Slain

But for reasons that are unclear from the court records available, the charges were dropped about three months later.

The 2004 case was apparently the last time either Campbell or Cunningham had contact with the District's criminal justice system.

Yesterday, investigators said, Campbell had called Cunningham's family. Atkinson, 39, said that the family was worried after Campbell called another aunt at 4:07 a.m. and said, "Take care of my kids."

The relatives, concerned for Cunningham's safety, went to her apartment and later called police. Police found Cunningham's body at 5:30 a.m. under a pile of clothing in a closet. The couple's two children, 2 and 7, were unharmed and sleeping in the apartment, police said.

About 2 1/2 hours later, police said, Campbell's body was found by a maintenance worker at Arts and Technology Academy, a school in the 5300 block of Blaine Street NE.

The worker discovered the body while making his morning rounds on the school property, said Errick L. Greene, the head of the school. Greene said the body was found after students had arrived for classes. It was in an isolated area where students do not walk, Greene said.

Police said Campbell had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. They said they found Cunningham's car near the school.

Cunningham's mother, Patricia Benbow of Suitland, described the eldest of her three children as "a very loving and outgoing person. She loved her children, and she never went anywhere without her babies."

"Now we have to explain to her two kids that they don't have no mother and no father," Atkinson said, sobbing. "I think her daughter knows. She said, " 'Aunt Tonie, I hope my mommy's not dead.' "

Staff writer Theola Labbé contributed to this report.