Featured Image Credit: Heather Cornelius
Topics: Domestic Abuse, TikTok, Viral, Life
Niamh Shackleton
Warning: This article discusses domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
A woman was left fearing for her life after her abusive husband poured chemicals onto her eyes.
In 2024, Heather Cornelius set up a TikTok page where she decided she'd tell her story of domestic abuse. She shared her first video in October, which has since gone viral and amassed over 15 million views.
In the clip, Heather discussed the years of abuse she endured at the hands of her husband, whom she'd been married to for over 11 years.
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She described herself as an 'extreme case' in light of one particular incident where her partner poured chemicals directly into her eyes which caused her eyelids to 'melt off'.
"I believed I was going to die," she recalled of the horrific moment. Heather went on to need five reconstructive surgeries as a result a result of her husband's attack on her.
The fight took place in November 2022 after Heather had tried to leave, but her partner made threats against her so she came home. It was then that he ordered her to lay down and he carried out the chemical attack.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the harrowing incident, Heather said: "My back was turned and he told me, 'Lay on the floor.' I didn't ask anything, I didn't try to resist. At that point, when he told me to do something, I did it just to get it over with.
"So I did what he said. When I looked up, I saw that he had blue gloves on and a white container. I tried to sit up, he pushed me back down. And he started pouring something in my right eye."
Heather, who is thought to have been living in Kansas at the time, went on to say that the pain she endured was indescribable.
"I was begging for him to stop and screaming," she continued. "I don’t know how I made it through. I swear, God allowed me to leave my body for a moment to survive.
"He told me if I wasn't quiet, he was going to kill me. So I went quiet, and then he started pouring it in my left eye. And then, he was done."
Heather was left unable to see for several months and, in the end, her right eye had to be surgically closed.
Then, in May 2023, her husband was taken into custody but went on to be released afterwards. He later relocated to Alaska, while police tried to build a case against him.
But, sadly, Heather never got the justice she deserved as in November 2023, she was told that her husband had died.
Despite the hardships she's faced, Heather says she's in a good place now.
"I feel like I’m probably in the best head space that I’ve ever been in," she shared.
"I have a regular therapist, my kids are in therapy and they’re doing great in school. I bought a house and I did it on my own."
She added that she 'looks forward to waking up every day'.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.