The relationship between a victim and an offender is critical to understanding the context and dynamics of homicide. The causes and correlates of homicide within intimate relationships differ from the causes and correlates of homicide by strangers. However, systematic research has seldom examined differences in the nature of intimate violence, particularly lethal violence, among intimate relationships that vary in the degree of intimacy and level of commitment. Such an examination is important for understanding intimate femicide and for explaining variations in the reactions to such acts. This study used relationship state and relationship status to differentiate among various degrees of intimacy and commitment. The study demonstrates that the characteristics of the people involved in intimate femicides as well as the circumstances surrounding the killing do differ by relationship type. Tables, notes, references