Joseph Batten

Joseph Batten was a former Microsoft employee who allegedly shot and killed his wife, Melissa Batten, before turning the gun on himself.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: ca. 1972¹
2. Spouse: Melissa Batten¹
3. Employer: Wizards of the Coast²
4. Former Microsoft employee¹
5. Allegedly killed estranged wife¹
6. Committed suicide¹
7. Wife took out restraining order against him

The Restraining Order

According to reports, Joseph Batten attempted to confront his estranged wife at Microsoft's offices in Redmond, Washington, but was escorted off the premises by company security. After Batten revealed to his wife that he had purchased a gun, she filed a restraining order against him. On July 29, 2008, Joseph Batten allegedly confronted Melissa Batten outside the Archstone Redmond Campus Apartments in Redmond, shot her eight or nine times with a 9mm handgun, killing her, and then shot himself in the head.¹

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