Bath 5K honors Jennie and Lisa Bailey, supports domestic violence survivors

Bath’s annual 5K turned a family tragedy into direct help for domestic violence survivors, with race proceeds going to Black Belts Against Domestic Violence and, in some event listings, Love Shouldn’t Hurt. The event also added a children’s fun run, widening the focus from remembrance to prevention and support.

Jennie’s Run, held Sunday, May 10, 2026, honored Jennie Bailey and her mother, Lisa Bailey, whose deaths in Bath became a stark reminder of how domestic violence can escalate. Friends and family gathered for the run and walk not only to remember the women, but to raise awareness and resources for people living with abuse now.

Maine State Police said the victims were 58-year-old Lisa Bailey and her 32-year-old daughter, Jennifer Bailey, both of Bath. Investigators said they were found shot on Oct. 6, 2024, at 10 Crawford Drive. Police identified Lisa Bailey’s husband and Jennifer Bailey’s father, 66-year-old Michael Bailey, as the suspect; investigators said he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The event’s timing carried added weight because it fell on Mother’s Day weekend, a period when Bath and Brunswick also saw other domestic violence awareness efforts tied to the Bailey family. Finding Our Voices organized broader weekend events to spotlight prevention and survivor support, extending the message beyond the race course and into the wider community.

The earlier death investigation added another layer to the public safety concerns surrounding the case. WMTW reported that Bath police had responded to two domestic violence calls at the Bailey home less than two weeks before the killings, and that both women later went to the police station to follow up. That sequence has made the annual run more than a tribute: it now serves as a visible reminder of warning signs, the need for intervention, and the local programs that help survivors move toward safety.

For Sagadahoc County residents, the impact is tangible. Jennie’s Run keeps the Bailey names at the center of a community response that funds victim support, draws children and families into the effort, and keeps domestic violence from being treated as a private tragedy hidden behind closed doors.