Dr. Mildred Muhammad’s Journey Through Abuse and Survival
Dr. Mildred Muhammad, ex-wife of the notorious DC Sniper, John Allen Muhammad, endured years of emotional and psychological abuse during their 12-year marriage. After separating in 1999, John continued to stalk and threaten her, showing up unannounced even after she changed her phone number. “He told me, ‘You have become my enemy, and as my enemy I will kill you,'” she recounted.
Telling her story for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Mildred discusses her experiences in a new documentary titled “Hunted by My Husband,” which dives into John’s alarming obsession with murdering her to regain custody of their children. The couple had a tumultuous relationship, and after John’s service in Operation Desert Storm, his personality shifted dramatically. He returned home with post-traumatic stress disorder, leading to anger and paranoia.
John, alongside accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo, terrorized the D.C. area in October 2002, committing a series of shootings that resulted in 10 deaths. Police later speculated that John intended to frame his estranged wife as a victim, believing her death would restore his parental rights. “He made me look like the victim of a random shooter,” she said, recalling the horror of realizing the depth of his intentions.
Mildred met John in 1985, and they married later amidst what she described as a loving early relationship. But, after re-entering civilian life, John’s violent outbursts began, making her feel constantly fearful. “I tried to call for help, but there were no physical injuries,” she said, addressing the isolation many victims face.
After filing for divorce, things escalated. John received a lifetime restraining order, yet the ruling allowed him to maintain visitation rights. This, unfortunately, led to John Kidnapping their children for 18 months. “There are no words to describe the level of pain I went through,” Mildred reflected. When she finally regained custody, a long process ensued to navigate their complicated divorce while also managing the stress of impending violence.
As authorities later identified John as the sniper, Mildred was left reeling. “I looked on TV and there he was,” she remembered, grasping the unsettling truth of her former husband’s actions. The couple’s relationship devolved and culminated in John’s arrest and execution in 2009.
Now advocating for victims of domestic violence, Mildred encourages those facing similar situations to seek help. “Help came late,” she acknowledges. “But I knew I had to get through it for the sake of my kids.” Her story is a powerful reminder of the urgency for victims to find a path to safety.
“Hunted by My Husband: The Untold Story of a DC Sniper” will air on October 28 at 9 p.m.
