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Melissa Batten Tribute

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Melissa Batten

  • Female
  • Died Jul 28, 2008
  • Kent, Washington, United States
Its been months but it's still hard to believe that you're gone. I wanted your story to be heard by all so I created this tribute. Rest in peace Melissa.
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About

Tragic Story

Very sad news from Redmond, Wash. Melissa Batten, 36, a software development engineer in Microsoft's Xbox division, was murdered by her estranged husband, who then shot himself to death.

Batten, a Harvard-educated lawyer, was a Software Development Engineer in Test for Microsoft, supporting Rare on its 360 titles work. She had worked for Microsoft since 2002, earning credits in Halo 3 and Gears of War as an SDET. Earlier, as a lawyer, she had been a public defender for the Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, N.C.) Public Defender's Office.

Her husband, Joseph Batten, was also 36. He had also worked for Microsoft but most recently worked for Wizards of the Coast, publisher of hobby games such as Magic: the Gathering. Melissa had obtained a restraining order against her husband on July 21. Another news story describes Joseph Batten as obsessive and verbally abusive, and when she learned he had obtained a handgun, she sought the protection order.

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Memories

My memory

Chris Edwards Feb 23, 2010

I went to law school with Melissa. She was a lot of fun and had a great heart. I remember hanging out with her in the local coffee shop in the food court near campus, and she was just hilarious and was a truly lovely person.

I miss her too

julie Aug 17, 2009

it was a sad how it happen and i won't lie that it was wrong, but the full story of my sister in law, maybe you should ask the family

Ellen (Apr 28, 2012)

Sorry you were fooled by your brother, he was truely evil. I remember him telling me "I would never have shot Missy." That was after he had held her at gun point 2 months before he murdered her. She was terrified of him. She had a restraining order against him and he hide in the woods until she came out of her apartment. He then murdered her. Did you know that there was a child that witnessed this. For years he was cruel and would say horrible things to her that you know nothing about. I have emails he wrote that would make your toes curl. He had handcuffs and butcher knives in the trunk of his car. God knows what he was plannig to do if she had gotten in the car with him. Again, sorry you were fooled by him. Oh just so you know he said ugly and mean things about you and your sister. I would never have approached you but I wont allow you to defend him in any way on my sister's memorial sight.

She loved cats

Alicia Feb 28, 2009

I never Melissa but often think of her because I think she loved cats as much I do, I sent her email last year to the cat alias at work because she said they had a string of stray orange cats showing up their door stop. I had a friend who had just lost their orange cat and so I contacted Melissa to see if the strays were still available, she said they were promissed to someone else but would keep me in mind. I was devasted to hear what happened.
I still don't understand why her life was taken by someone who claimed he loved her and will never understand it. I hope and pray she knows how many people cared for her and hopefully the DV laws in Washington state will change soon.

My Memory-She is always with me!

Ellen Jan 30, 2009

I have so very many wonderful memories. One in particular was recent. She was not vain regardless of her incredible beauty. She had just done the Banjo interview and sent me the link to the website. Her comment was, "I am such a dork!". I remember watching the video and laughing as she was just beautiful. I treasure that video and many others. Thank-you for all of the prayers as they have kept me spiritually alive thru this. They mean so much. Ellen, her sister.

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  • What was Melissa Batten's first job? Did he/she like it?

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