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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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I miss her too
julie Aug 17, 2009
She loved cats
Alicia Feb 28, 2009
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
Good person
Tim Chidsey Dec 22, 2008
We love you and will always think of you and the "Hammer of Dawn" song....