I get what you are going through and you already know that I could type out even more reasons than you posted above about keeping your distance because you know them too. Stay strong. I would continue pointing her in the right directions of IPV supports in her area but that would be where I would draw the line. Keep your professional hat on at all times, it might be easier dealing with this all in looking at this more professionally/businesslike, than emotionally and wanting to help a fellow sister. 

I've been in a similar situation as you with troubled employees.  You're a good person.  It's hard to walk that professional line.  Thank God she knew she could count on you when she texted.

She didn't "take money and quit." She took money, he found it and HE took it and made her quit. Then he started beating her relentlessly.

You're a good person and don't be surprised if she takes him back. It's a sickness and there was a point where I once had it. It takes a LOT to be strong enough to break away from an evil abuser.

I think giving her info and sources is the most you can do with this situation right now. Good on you for being a compassionate and caring person. 

You are a sweetie. I know you want to help her, and you have. Please keep yourself safe, first and foremost. In my opinion, every woman should have a handgun, and men like this should be taken care of swiftly, and buried in the back yard. 

I helped several employees get out of abusive situations over the years. Sometimes it was with money, or luggage, or lying to their SO about when I last saw her. I drove one sweet Mexican woman to the courthouse and helped translate so she could get an RO. One woman planned her exit impressively well, switching from plane to bus and then staying with a Marine friend of her brother that her H had no idea existed. I took great satisfaction in mailing her last paycheck to the address she left with me.

JMB, you've done your part. You already helped your coworker, and now hopefully she'll accept the help others offer. You were an important link in the entire chain of people needed to help abusive victims. Kudos AND hugs to you for what you did.

You did great!!Thank you for helping her, you have given her sounds advice and directed her to help.  If he shot up the house and she reports the abuse it's very likely he will be put in jail/arrested.  That would give her time to go NO CONTACT (imperative with an abuser) and start letting the FOG lift so she can accept help and get better.  In my state they file a Temp Protection Order (not a restraining order)- which then can go permanent, etc...they will direct her on what to do.

Though there isn't any more you can do for her.  She is a victim, but she is in the realm of a toxic victim.  She stole the money whether her abusive mate benefited or not.

I have ideas of how she could have used his gun. But.... I will keep those to myself.

Like your boss, I have never been abused.  I do not think I know anyone who has with the exception of our good friend who is going through a contentious divorce after 30+ years of marriage.  He has never hit her, but he has abused her emotionally, financially, and sexually.  She insists on believing that he will change, a miracle will happen, etc, etc, etc... it drives me nuckin futz.  She has recently shown signs of gaining clarity and going battle maiden on him after the latest round of his shit. Though I have zero confidence her new found spine will last more than a few days.

 My parents tell a story of next door neighbors they were friends with when my parents were fairly newly married.  The incident made a huge impression on them both. The DH hit the wife breaking her nose.  After the DH broke the wife's nose, she went into subserviant wife mode for a few days and kept increasing the stock of liquor in  their house. He would get increasingly drunk each evening. When he finally passed out cold in bed, she sewed him into the bed by hand stitching the sheets he was under to the matress with dental floss. Then she took a baseball bat to him and kept beating him periodically throughout the night.  A couple of hours before he was to leave for work she got in his face, told him if he ever hit her again he would not live throught the next sewing him into the bed session, then layed out his USMC uniform, told him to shower, get dressed and get his ass to work on base.  Dad said that she did not hit him in the head so all of his deep bruising on his arms, legs, and torso was covered by his uniform.  He hobbled around for about a week after that.  Apparently he learned his lesson. They remained married for quite a while longer.  My parents stayed in contact with them for many years.  They were quite a bit older than my parents.

I comprehend the my pain is less terifying than the unknown terror that abuse victims seem to suffer. Though I do not understand it, nor do I think that they should tolerate abuse.  

That this type of thing exists infuriates me.

Thanks for the trigger warning btw. This certainly triggered me.