Dr. Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of D.C. sniper John Allen Muhammad, has shared her deeply disturbing experiences of domestic violence and terror through a new true-crime documentary called ‘Hunted by My Husband.’ The documentary offers a harrowing look at the years of emotional and psychological abuse she endured from her then-spouse, who would later be identified as the infamous D.C. Sniper. Muhammad’s account reveals how her ex-husband, once a caring and attentive partner, evolved into a dangerous figure with a violent agenda. She details the months of stalking, the threats of violence, and the chilling moment when she realized she was in mortal danger. These revelations come as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with Muhammad using her story to raise awareness about the insidious nature of domestic abuse.
John Allen Muhammad, a former Army soldier, was involved in a brutal killing spree that culminated in the deaths of ten people and injuries to three others over a three-week period in October 2002. His accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, was a Jamaican teenager with whom Muhammad claims he formed a father-son bond. The two had embarked on a cross-country journey, with John eventually targeting the Washington, D.C. area as their final destination. Authorities believe Muhammad was a key target in this spree, as John was determined to kill her to gain custody of their children by making her appear to be a victim of random violence. The documentary highlights how this twisted logic laid the groundwork for the horrific events that followed.
Muhammad met John in 1985 while he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. Their relationship began when John approached her while she was shopping with a friend, and they quickly married in 1988. Initially, John was a devoted and loving husband, but his demeanor changed dramatically after his return from Operation Desert Storm in 1990. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder following a shoulder injury sustained during his service, and this condition seems to have exacerbated his already volatile temperament. Muhammad recalls that John withdrew into himself, becoming quiet, paranoid, and consumed by anger. His behavior escalated over the years, with his emotional abuse growing more severe and his need for control becoming all-consuming.
After the couple’s divorce, John continued to stalk Muhammad, even finding her new phone number and appearing uninvited at her home. He made a chilling threat to kill her, which she eventually took seriously and went into hiding with her children. A lifetime restraining order was granted against her, but it had a critical loophole—she was still required to maintain visitation rights with her children. This vulnerability led to the kidnapping of her children by John, who took them on an 18-month odyssey to Antigua. The situation was dire, with Muhammad having to rely on legal means to fight for her children’s return. Her perseverance led to their eventual recovery in 2001, after an emergency custody hearing in Tacoma, Washington.
When John launched his killing spree, Muhammad and her family were taken to a safe location after the FBI’s intervention. She vividly recalls the moment she learned of his identity as the D.C. sniper, describing the emotional devastation she felt at the thought of her husband being responsible for such violence. The documentary captures her emotional journey, showing how the trauma of her past continued to affect her even after her family was safely reunited. Her story has since become a powerful advocacy tool for domestic violence survivors, as she works to raise awareness and encourage others to seek help before it’s too late.