Exposure to interpersonal violence and traumatic death can create some of the most severe postevent reactions. However, little is known about the effects of exposure to the sexual homicide of a family member in youth. Sexual homicide can occur in a variety of situations and as a result of various motives. For youth who witness this event or who find the sexually violated and murdered body of a family member, there can be significant responses related to fears of ongoing threat to their safety or to the safety, stability, and structure of their family and environment. Severe traumas, such as sexual homicide, can have a detrimental effect on youth intrapsychic development and interpersonal relationships. These include posttraumatic stress disorder, with symptoms that can be disturbing and disruptive to daily routines and negatively affect a youth's otherwise normal growth and development. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.