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Thursday March 28, 2024 

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Our Children

Click on a name below to see their page

 

Danielle McCarthy
Washington

Christi Nowak
Georgia

Anke Furber
Georgia

Levi Wren
Washington

Ephrain Schultz
New York

Mark R Ellis
Rhode Island

Sean P. Efford
New Mexico

Caitlyn Brady
New Hampshire

Katty McGuire Andrea
Washington

JP Faulk
Florida

Michael Miller
Massachusetts

Chuck Tabaka
Wisconsin

Miranda Daly
California

Jamie Leavitt
Washington

Kaylin Marie Mathews
California

RJ Davis
Alabama

Billy Grandchamp
Rhode Island

Nicholas Werhofnik
Georgia

Rebecca Marks
New York

Dustin Kueter
South Dakota

Chase Denver Julian
Louisiana

Katelynn Porter
Ontario,Canada

Tony Trujillo
Colorado

Billy Joe Towle Jr.
Michigan

Kelley Wilson
Alabama

Rhiannon Fraser
Florida

Vivianna Satterfield
New Mexico

Kelli Laine Lewis
South Carolina

Taylor Smith
Georgia


Danielle cherished family, friends and life. She had her whole life planned out; her husband, number of kids, two dogs and would be a dermatologist, a career where she could help others but have time for her family.
Christi had just enrolled in college. She just began taking First Baptist Church shuttles downtown every Thursday to befriend the homeless. Just chit chatting with them and letting them know they had a friend. In her journals, she was determined to turn her life around and she started by helping others. She volunteered often for the M.U.S.T. Ministries to help set up their clothing shop for the homeless and the children's center. She helped cooked their meals. She helped do their laundry. She wanted to go into a field helping others. She would have changed at least one person's life, for the better, when they thought there was no more hope. She didn't show up last Thursday. She died.
In the months before she was killed, 21-year-old Anke Furber had been acting scared and she seemed to know she was in danger. Several days after Furber's charred remains were discovered in a small vineyard in Norcross, Anke's mom, Ria, found a note in Anke's desk at home in Marietta. In it, Anke seemed to foreshadow her own death. She wrote, "My parents would surely grieve the loss of their wonderful daughter whose craziness would soon lead to her slaughter". Ria isnt sure exactly when the note was written, but believes it was written in a close time frame to the actual murder.
At 22 years old, Levi had goals and ambitions of being a business owner, a husband and a father. He loved his family and friends with everything in him and would do anything for you. His shyness and manners we're a shining attribute to who he was. Unfortunately, Levi befriended someone who for nearly three years took advantage of his kindness and when asked to leave his home, he killed him. If he would have just walked out the door as asked, Levi would still be here today. We'll never know all the wonderful things that Levi would have accomplished, but we know he was a "Friend" till the end.
Ephraim was 21 yrs old when he prematurely transitioned to the other side. He was a very warm hearted young man. And was always available to help friends and family. As his cousin Ben said about him: "You can lay a 1,000. on the table and know completely that Ephraim would have never taken it". He spent most of his days at Antique World in Clarence , NY which was owned and operated by his Uncle. That was my sons world. A world he will no longer be able to participate in. He is sorely missed by his family and friends.
Mark suffered a brain injury at the age of 19 the night of a high school prom. Mark died at the age of 25. Life was hard for Mark, he lived an aphasic life. Mark struggled to relearn his alphabet and to speak again. Neuro rehab, drug rehab, jails, institutions and death. Mark was disabled and a fighter all at the same time. College, heavy equipment operator, volunteering were all part of these six years. Mark loved kids and wished he had one. Due to the selfish reasoning of his so called friends, Mark will never be able to achieve his dreams that he fought so hard for. Mark's struggle is over !! PEACE..........
His friends describe him as a kind, warm hearted, full of energy, always smiling, and a very silly young man. They also said that whenever Sean walked into a room that he had the ability lighting up the room because he was full of life and energy! He loved his dad, his mom, and his sister very much. He had a very special bond with his great grandma Efford and his great aunt Charlene whom also up in heaven with him. A warm hug from Sean was just another way that he showed his affection to his family and friends
When Cayte was in the middle school she was on the track team, she was a cheerleader for the Nor-Roc Vikings, she was on a soccer team, and she loved attending the dances at the Sad Cafe. When she went to high school, all of those activities stopped. The sad reason was because she was too old. All the kids have, once they reach high school, are the woods and the homes of friends when the parents are at work. If she had activities to do after school when she went to high school, maybe this wouldn't have happened.
From her birth to her passing Katty touched so many lives. Not only did her family have the joy of watching her grow from a 6 pound baby girl to a beautiful young woman, but so many others did as well. The lives she touched are too many to fathom. Her beauty and grace preceded her where ever she went. Her heart was made of fine gold and she cared for others always before herself. She was not just special to all of us but to the Lord who saw fit to call her home at such a young age. Her mansion was ready! When we think of Katty now we all can be at peace because we know she is with her Lord, never to face this harsh world we live in day to day. She is with us always when we remember her smile, her touch, and her kind words. We all had the pleasure of being touched by an ANGEL!
We want our son's name to be Remembered and to bring hope and joy out of something that has been the darkest and heartbreaking days of our families life. JP was very out spoken and we have decided to be that way on this site and to be his voice about the drug companies and the public official's that sit back and do nothing. If we could save one person from what our family had to go Through and is still going Through, it would be all worth it We will not stop until the truth gets out. We want his memory to live on.
Time has gone by so quickly and it seems like we haven't seen your face in forever. Our hearts are broken, our tears flow so freely and our souls feel empty. Michael, you left us with so many happy memories but the memories can never take your place. We know you and your uncle Sam are saving a place for those who cherished you the most.
Two weeks before he died, Chuck called me on the phone. He was excited to tell me he was joining the National Guard. He had begun to think about being a History Teacher. He planned to attend school after basic training. He also mentioned a new girlfriend. He was pretty crazy about her but wanted to give things a little more time before making her "meet the parents". Still, we made plans to meet for lunch once July wound down. He thought we might all get together and told me not to worry, he had a job and would help pay the check. The first time I met the young lady he was so crazy about was as she cried herself senseless over his casket. She laid a broken heart chain and necklace across his hands. She wore the mating half around her slender neck. Her courage in court helped to solidify the deal that sent a drug dealer to prison. I hope she, and Chuck's other friends, make the right decision and swear off drug use so we may never see their faces on these pages.
Everyone ever touched by Miranda. This will be a tribute to the life she lived. She was the most remarkable and inspirational woman I have ever known. I was in awe of my own daughter. Even as her mother, her beauty took my breath away, and as she walked this earth from her crawling stages to adulthood her beauty from the inside amazed me. Miranda loved about every living thing and each friend she had she made her relationship with them special and unique.
Jamie was a very loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, boyfriend and friend.. Most importantly he was the best father anyone could have asked for.. Even though he was only 16 when he was taken away from us from his so called friend, he did everything for his daughter and mother of his daughter  that he had asked to marry him when he turns 18.. Jamie was the type of kid that would take his shirt off his back for anyone that needs it..  Jamie died on April 23, 2008.. If only his so called friend (29 yrs old), his mother and the other people at the home called 911 instead of waiting 3 hours, he would still be here with us today.. Jamie's dad passed away Nov 2005 and he had a hard time dealing with loosing his father and could not believe he was gone.. Well now Jamie is at home with his dad..Until we meet again... I am proud of you my son..Love you always and forever, Mommy
Kaylin Marie Mathews was born on a Tuesday March 1, 1988. Kaylin was my oldest child and my only daughter. She could play the piano, guitar, and drums and loved to sing. She had been "spinning records" the last few years and loved to mix music. She had been working as a d.j. at the time of her death and was very good. Kaylin was an only child for 71/2 years. She has one brother and one sister. She was a talented writer. She made jewelry and she could draw. There was nothing that my baby couldn't do, if she wanted to. Kaylin was left to die in a ravine on June 30, 2008. She was found on July 1, 2008. Her date of death is listed as a Tuesday July 1, 2008. She was 20 years old. I miss her every second of every day. The world lost an amazing talent and an amazing young woman. I lost a part of my heart.
R.J. was truly a blessing in our lives. He was the kind of son that most parents only dream of having. He always respected and obeyed his parents and never got in trouble. RJ was never in trouble in his life RJ always called home to let us know where he was and when he would be home. When he was missing and we couldn't reach him on his cell phone, we knew immediately something terrible was wrong. This is a nightmare that no parent should have to go through and we are living it. Our concern is not what we are going through, but what our son had to go through in his final moments of life.
William Michael Grandchamp better known as Billy, was born Nov 7,1979. HE was a only child. Billy had many friends. Billy often told his friends that his MOM was his best friend. Billy liked to collect sports attire like jerseys and sports caps.Everything he wore had to match. He was meticulous with his clothing, car, and home. Although, Billy had no children of his own he loved children. He told me his greatest wish was to find a good girl and settle down and have a family. That seemed to be very important to him. Even at a young age he had a gift with children. Billy's friends have always commented on how good he was with their children and how their children loved him. Billy was loved by so many people. He had over 800 friends and family members at his wake. Billy will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Chase lived life spontaneously with the freedom of a butterfly – a free spirit & soul – no one could hold him down, except his baby girl. She was his LIFE. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her, including getting clean. Chase was clean 1.5 yrs, after 6 months in residential rehab in New Orleans, continued with NA meetings, substance abuse group counseling, and sought out a Navy recruiter who told him all he would have to do to be eligible. He seemed to be on his way, until he fell off the wagon 12 days out of jail. Turning to heroin again to deal with stress was the mistake of his life. “Chase’s Story” is shared with you on his main page. Thanks for taking time to read it. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to the FDLFD Family for taking us under their wings. “They will sing me to them, and I will hear.” ~RIP Chase~4evrYng~1985-2009
Katelynn Lillian Porter, 16, of West Elgin, was killed in a car crash on Dunborough Rd. in Elgin County. “In loving memory of Katelynn Porter. 12/12/09. 9:40 p.m.” is written between two hearts on the roadside memorial, a makeshift cross. Porter was a student at West Elgin secondary school, where officials are trying to come to grips with the news of her death, especially so close to Christmas.
Tony passed away 10 days after his 16th birthday. He asked permission to spend the night at his friends and I told him yes. I told him" I love you" and he replied "I love you too Mom. Tony was the kid who wanted to make everyone laugh. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and a big heart. He would talk to his friends for hours trying to help them solve their problems. He was a loving big brother, and a wonderful son. He would help you with anything without even being asked. Tony was an extremely intelligent child. He was always placed in advanced classes. A week before he passed we received a letter from Columbine informing us that Tony was nominated to participate in their advanced English Program. He had a gift for writing stories.
She loved all things technical and mechanical with her older brother Ian and fashion and decorating days with her older sister Genevieve. She loved Gothic country art, the workings of the human body, video games, driving and her new tattoo machine. She loved swimming and surfing. She loved all things living and loved her dog Timpleton and her parrot Thermopolis. She had a strong heart and soul, was an independent and progressive thinker, open minded and a will power like no one else. Her favorite place to go was Barnes and Noble.
Vivianna Satterfield was 15 years old! Vivi was the type of young lady that put other people in front of herself. She would always say "Peace and Love".
Kelli Laine Lewis is my only daughter. Kelli died when she was 18 after attending a party hosted by 3 adults who offered a $5.00 entry fee to come and drink all you wanted. A pretty tempting offer for teens not old enough to buy alcohol.
Growing up – she had it all. She was smart and witty - she could come up with a jovial comeback in almost any conversation or situation. She wShe was smart and witty - she could come up with a jovial comeback in almost any conversation or situation. She was always photographing everything and always laughing. She had an infectious laugh, loud and squeaky, but incredibly endearing. Taylor was a huge fan of Tyler Perry’s Madea. She owned every play and knew every word to every gospel song in the plays. She would sing them at the top of her lungs to anyone that would listen. as always photographing everything and always laughing. She had an infectious laugh, loud and squeaky, but incredibly endearing.
He went out THE FIRST TIME to celebrate being "LEGAL" with a creep he considered a friend (even though we warned him this guy was not a true friend). My son did not drive so he was picked up about ten thirty. Even when it was obvious my son was having difficulties this creep brought him to his own house , which is 4 houses away for a few hours, and dropped him off here at home in the middle of the night WITHOUT KNOCKING OR CALLING OR WAKING US UP. We found Ben in his bed the next morning when we tried to wake him.

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A Fathers Nightmare

 

As I moved through life and grew older I had thoughts of my final departure and I made sure the family would be taken care of the best I could, I never thought about burying one of my own children, I didn’t know what to do and there are people out there that believe once the initial shock of someone’s death is over then everything magically takes care of itself.

Please let me enlighten you of what we went through and we needed to do, the feelings and the speed in which it must be accomplished:

 

Identification

As I entered the house from the back yard with total confusion and denial that my daughter had died that night, I walked in circles not knowing what to do or who to call, my wife left the house looking for her as I called 911 and tried to explain to the operator what I needed (I don’t even know if I made any sense) after being put on hold then told I would be called back I sat on the couch shaking and asking God to please keep her safe and I would see her in the hospital in need of treatment but still alive.

I picked up the phone and again dialed 911 and got the same operator and again I was put on hold, someone from a police agency up north asked how they could help and again I tried to explain my problem and was told I would be called back, as I waited what seemed like hours (Min. only) My wife returned and we were all in a panic so again I called 911 and was transferred to the desk sergeant at a police department up north, he asked who I was and when he acknowledged who I was there was a moment of silence before he said the words that ring in my head all the time “I’m sorry Mr. McCarthy but your daughter has passed away” at that moment I couldn’t feel my legs and some how I managed to ask him where she was, as I hung up the phone and looked at my wife standing in the middle of the living room with a panic in her eyes that I had never seen before, I slowly walked to her and wrapped my arms around her and whispered “I’m sorry” and held her tight.

As we called some local relatives (I thank god for them) we had a knock on the door and it was the Puyallup Police Chaplin and he entered and asked what he could do to help, we had asked if he could find our daughter so we could go see her and let her know we were there for her.

As he flipped open his cell phone and made some calls I found myself in a fog, everything moved in slow motion and when someone spoke it sounded like the speaker was in a tunnel; as he spoke with the Medical Examiner I had asked to see her and was told No that there was no room, I again said I want to see her and put her in a hallway so I can be with her and again I was told No.

I turned to the Chaplin and said maybe it’s not her and how do they know its her, he said he would go to his office and get the fax of a picture sent by the Medical Examiner.

What seemed like hours the Chaplin finally returned and I met him in our driveway, As he walked towards me he said “your daughter has red hair?” at that moment I knew she was still alive, he then produced a yellow envelope and opened it to reveal a head shot of someone that was at the M.E. office my heart raced and my mind was set on not seeing my daughter but someone else (my hope that she was still OK) and as I turned to my brother in law and said to him “its not her” but he looked straight at me and said “Its Danielle”

I will forever remember that photograph and that morning and the deep pain I felt then is felt everyday all day long.

 

The Media

I don’t know how the media received the story or how the knew who we were or lived but they were calling constantly and wanted the story (what story? We didn’t know anything ourselves) but they kept showing up until they were lined up in the kitchen.

One would leave as another came into the living room to set up and ask us the same questions that the last reporter had asked.

All the TV news channels, a radio station, newspapers and even a prime time Seattle talk show called. We did what they asked and answered the questions the best we could, we needed answers and they were there to help. (I hoped)

 

Funeral arrangements

We decided on Powers Funeral home (I don’t remember even talking about it) and the ride there seemed endless (I was thinking what am I doing this for and why?)

I had never been in a Funeral home before so I was unsure what to expect, we were greeted and taken to a separate room away from public view.

As he opened his folder and started to discuss the costs and the process I felt like I was negotiating a deal for my construction company not my little girl’s funeral.

You need to make a decision and where she would be buried but we decided on cremation (that was her wish) then you must decide what casket she would be in during her viewing (you rent one) then the urn her ashes would be placed, then you must pick the flowers, the registry book, the announcements and on and on.

All I kept thinking is that this is not true and can we leave now because I’m done.

I held onto my wife’s hand the whole time and let her know it would be alright but as we were led around that small room to pick all of the items needed I didn’t know if I could hold my wife up as I didn’t know if I was going to make it myself.

We left the Funeral home and at that time I couldn’t remember why I was there, but what I did know is that we needed to get through this and I would look at my wife and whisper to her that we will show others the love we have for each other and that we can do this.

 

The Obituary

Time now to let the world know who our daughter was, it was time to write down all you can about a beautiful, fun loving, precious 16 year old that I knew should be here with us.

How do you write all of what you think and know in a small newspaper article?

I believe others had taken care of this for us but I don’t remember; what I do remember is walking out to the driveway to get the newspaper the next morning as I had done so many times before, I think it was just automatic for me to do this; I walked into the kitchen and opened the paper to find that obituary of my little girl and as I read it I only got half way through when I realized this is real and I am standing in my kitchen reading an obituary about my daughter, this wasn’t suppose to happen, your not suppose to be reading an obituary about any of your kids, that’s when I turned around and lowered the paper to my side and start to cry in deep, awful pain.

I have never finished reading it.

 

Private Viewing

Now we must decide what cloths she would wear, as I looked into Danielle’s room I saw my wife and daughter sitting on the floor going through some of Danielle’s cloths to decide which ones to include some jewelry, I still didn’t understand why we were doing it because Danielle could do it herself after all it was her cloths.

We delivered the cloths and now we waited for her family viewing (this would be the first time we would see her in many days)

The day arrives of the viewing, I don’t remember the day or what time the viewing was but for some odd reason I couldn’t wait to see her; what I do remember was that ride to the funeral home, it was long.

We arrive and are led to a separate room where the family was seated, our family physician arrived and I thought that was a good thing considering the shape I was in but also my wife’s condition, as the time approached for my wife and I to go to the room where she was, all I can remember is our Doctor leaning down to us as we sat and waited and feeling my heart race in fear and my body shaking with sweat forming on my forehead, I was saying to myself “I cant do this; I cant” (I truly thought I was going to have a heart attack and I was glad there was a doctor in the house).

I don’t remember the short walk from the waiting room to the room Danielle was in but I do remember walking in with my wife holding me while I was holding on to her and seeing the casket to the right of the entry against the wall but I was unable to see her yet.

As we approached I caught my first look at my little girl sense new years eve, the last day I saw her alive; She looked peaceful and at rest but that feeling lasted for all of two seconds and I realized that she was in a casket and that shouldn’t be, at that very moment I lost all control and sobbed like I had never done before, I reach to her and touched her hand and felt the coldness that comes with death but that didn’t bother me because I knew she needed me and at that moment I was there for her.

I leaned down to her and stroked her hair and held her hand as I whispered “I love you baby girl” and for some reason I felt at peace like someone held me and said she’s ok, no one can hurt her again that she’s with God.

I remember as each one of her family members came into the room to see her I was unable to help; I couldn’t fix this one and make things all better, at that moment my all ready broken heart had now shattered.

I don’t remember leaving that night or how I got home, the rest of that night I may not remember but I will never forget the look on my wife’s face or the looks and the emotion displayed by all earlier that evening.

 

Public Viewing

Again I don’t remember the day, day of the week or the time of the day the public viewing was but I remember being led in through the back door to a private room attached to the main room where Danielle was, this room had seating for the family and had a white sheer hanging to separate the two rooms, as I looked out past the sheer I saw all of the flowers surrounding the casket where my precious little girl lay, they were beautiful and pink; her favorite color.

I stepped from behind the sheer holding my wife’s hand with all my might and we slowly made our way to Danielle’s side; although we had seen her earlier at the private viewing I felt as this was the first time I was going to see her.

Again she looked beautiful and I wondered when she would wake up so we could take her home, we leaned in together and as I held her hand my wife stroked her hair and told her we were there for her and everything would be alright.

We went back behind the sheer and the public began to arrive, as they slowly made their way to the casket the sobbing, crying and the words of disbelief that each and every person displayed brought another tear to my eyes.

How could this happen? What happened? Who did this to her?

As the day progressed I was amazed at the number of people that showed their love but I was also amazed by the diversity of the people, that day is the day I learned what an impact my daughter had on so many people, how she loved everyone and wanted to make everyone happy no matter who they were, that day Danielle taught me more than anyone has my whole life.

The funeral home allowed the viewing to last all day (usually it is for a couple of hours) they some how knew the impact she had on others and that an all day viewing was needed.

The day was long but went by quickly, I tried to meet some of the people that showed up and thank them but I found myself walking in circles not knowing what to say.

I remember holding onto my wife as the day progressed and as the day wore on so did we, we held each other up the best we could and cried silently knowing each others pain.

 

Time to leave

As the day came to a close (I think it was dark outside) I stood behind the sheer thinking time was running out, I cant leave yet, if I do I will never see her again so please God turn the clock back, if you wont give her back to me the give me more time with her now; PLEASE!

It was time for our final good byes, I sat behind the sheer as I watched my wife go alone to talk with her then it was my turn and again my heart raced as I slowly approach her, I leaned over and held her hand with my right hand as I slowly stroked her hair with my left, I noticed all of the things including the notes the others had placed with her and I thought how come I didn’t do that, do I still have time then I realized I didn’t have to leave her a note because I was going to talk with her every day and night and I hoped she knew that I loved her with all my heart and soul, no note that I could leave her would be good enough because I had so much to say.

I leaned in and gave her a kiss on her forehead then told her I loved her with all my heart.

As I walked away I began to cry and shake not knowing what was going to happen next but I knew that a prayer to God was needed but it would have to come from someone else because God wasn’t listening to me.

When my wife’s Dad stepped up to pray I felt better than I had felt all day because he was a man of God and if he prayed then God would surely listen. We all held hands as a prayer was said and during that pray I couldn’t stop crying, was this it? Is this the end?

After the prayer everyone turned to leave and I was approached (I don’t remember who) and I was asked if I would like to stay and see them close the casket, why would I want to see that? If I did that would be to final, I think I thought if they don’t close it then she won’t go away. So I turned and walked with my wife in hand to the front door and from there I don’t remember anything.

 

Picking up the ashes

Once again I don’t recall the day or time I received the call from the funeral home I just remember the call saying “your daughter is here for pickup”

I thought at that split second that I can go see her now and she’s coming home; we did everything that we were asked of so now we can have her back.

That thought didn’t last long, now we had to go back to that place where they kept her (what gave them the right to keep her, she’s our daughter not yours) When we arrived at the funeral home we were able to park right out front, that felt strange, where was everyone? How come we are all alone?

As we entered the funeral home it was quiet with no one around, we were asked what we wanted and I said to myself “what do me mean, you know why were here” I stumbled as I told her why we were there and she said one moment please.

We sat down together and waited for her to return; as she entered the room I saw her carrying a wood box with a plaque someone had dropped off for us.

She set the wood box down in front of us and I stared at this wood box thinking is this all that is left of my daughter, is this what I get for all I had done, we raised a beautiful girl and we did everything right, we loved her, protected her, we gave everything we could to her and this is what we get; this is so wrong its so unfair.

Then she produced a yellow envelope and from that she pulled a piece of paper from it, she laid it on the desk face up and facing toward me and slid it to me saying “This is her Death certificate” What do you mean?

I needed to show her my I.D. to take my daughters ashes with me, how strange that I have to show someone my I.D. to take my daughter anywhere after all she’s mine.

I carried that wood box to the car following my wife; I was carrying that wood box like it was made of glass watching every step my feet would make all the way to the car.

My wife opened the passenger door and got in and I slowly and carefully placed this wood box on my wife’s lap, closed the door and climbed behind the wheel thinking I can now bring her home for good.

 

Forever in pain

From the moment, that split second in my life when my wife came out on our back deck and said Danielle might be dead I have lived in pain, a deep down endless pain that will never go away, if I took all of the pain in my life (all of the physical & emotional pain)

And it was placed on me all at once it would never equal this pain.

I never knew that I could love someone so much that I would hurt this bad, I fear life now, I don’t want to feel that pain again from another loss because I love my wife and kids that much.

The day I learned that Danielle had died I found myself alone in the bedroom and I fell to my knees crying to God asking could he please take me and give Danielle back.

You may ask yourself what good would that do you if God gave her back and took you, you wouldn’t be around to enjoy her. But I lived a long trying life, we have struggled for what we have and my wife and kids are my world and its my job as a husband and father to protect them and make sure they are happy in life, if God would give Danielle back then she could have the life she was meant to have and at the same time have my wife and kids smile again.

A couple of days after her death I said I wish we could fast forward a year then I said just said six months would do then maybe the pain I was feeling wouldn’t be so bad but its been longer than six months and almost a year and the pain didn’t get any better it just gets worse.

 

It never ends

As most of you know Danielle was murdered that night with drugs so from day one there has been an ongoing police investigation, we have met with the investigators on several occasions to see where they are at (a 1 ½ hour drive each way).

We have attended multiple court dates for the two charged (1 ½ hour drive each way)

And the trials for both are now set in late Jan. of 2008, more than a year from her death.

This causes many sleepless nights due to the unknown in both of their cases, we only know parts of that night, only what the detectives have told us or the Prosecutor handling the cases, there have been times when the news knew more than us.

We have tried to find out what happened to her that night but we may have to wait for the trials to hear the truth according to the ones that were there the night she died, we will probably never know the whole truth so from what I know I have to piece together her last night in my mind, as she was getting sicker and sicker and couldn’t walk or talk did she try? Did she scream out in her mind for her Mom or Dad to please come and help me? Did she cry and no one cared or no one paid attention to her? How much pain did she go through? These are just a few of the questions that go through my mind all day long.

I requested a copy of the autopsy report and received a complete report and now I wish I never read it, for those of you who have never read one, don’t if its about a loved one; an autopsy report details everything that the Medical Examiner does to a body to find the cause of death.

That report and the picture of my daughter that I saw in my driveway will forever haunt me, but she was my daughter, my little girl, the one I dreamed about having when I was young, I love all of my children and would die myself for them, I just wish I could have done that for Danielle.

 

 

 

This list is just what I can remember I’m sure many things happened that I will learn in time. Our lives will never be the same, I feel hollow inside and not much matters any more.

I do know who was there for us in our time of need and those who are still with us helping us still to get through day by day. I thank each and every one of them.

This is just a small sampling of what you can expect when someone you love deeply is taken from you in a blink of an eye, I could go on but I can't see through the tears.

 

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