MANCHESTER — The cold wind off Crystal Lake Saturday morning didn’t stop several hundred people from sharing laughs and stories or from putting the spotlight on a crime that all too often occurs behind closed doors.

Hundreds of people ran, jogged and walked in the second annual Missy’s Hope 5K Road Race around Crystal Lake, held in memory of Melissa “Missy” Cantin Charbonneau, described as a talented and caring nurse and a dedicated mother who was killed by her husband in their home in 2009.

“She was a very beautiful person on the inside as well as out,” said Stephanie Corbeil, an organizer of the race. “She was always nice to everyone. She had a heart of gold.”

“We met when we were about 5,” said Jennifer Ramsey, who volunteered to handle registrations for the race. “We were inseparable as kids.”

Charbonneau, 29, was killed Oct. 22, 2009, by her husband, Jonathan, in a murder-suicide at their home on Jewett Street in Manchester. She was shot three times in the stomach and once in the neck with a hunting rifle as she went to the house with her father to pick up her belongings. She had obtained a restraining order against her husband earlier that week and had been awarded custody of their minor child.

Missy’s father, John Cantin, thanked people Saturday for participating in the event honoring his daughter and noted her spirit has touched many lives.

Cantin quoted Edmund Burke, who said: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

“If you know somebody who is experiencing (domestic violence), please get involved; don’t let evil triumph,” Cantin told the crowd.

Charbonneau’s story “obviously touched our hearts,” Gov. John Lynch said before the race began. “For Missy’s sake, let us stand together to fight domestic violence. For Missy’s sake, let us all care for each other and keep each other safe.”

Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas said the people at the event are important because they remind people of the need to end domestic violence. “You are the hope of the future,” Gatsas said. “Next year, get your friends involved so that no one ever forgets Missy.”

Friends said they were unaware of the domestic violence Missy dealt with in her final days.

“I never fully understood domestic violence,” said Corbeil. “I, like most, assumed it was a poverty problem and would never happen to someone I knew. Little did I know that domestic violence can affect anyone and everyone regardless of their financial status, job, race or age.”

“I couldn’t believe this happened to Missy,” said Ramsey. “She was a tough cookie. She was a strong person, a strong woman. But since we started this race, we’re hearing from so many women who are all coming forward to thank us, saying they have been victims of domestic violence. They want to make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else.”

Proceeds from Saturday’s event will benefit the YWCA Domestic Violence Emergency Fund and The Missy’s Hope Fund, which helps children who have witnessed domestic violence. Organizers estimate more than 400 runners took part.

Liz Snell, who also works with Corbeil and participated in the race, said the event is for a great cause. “Too many times people take domestic violence for granted,” she said. “I know quite a few people who are touched by it, and whatever we can do to stamp it out is going to be great.”

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Union Leader reporter Garry Rayno contributed to this story.