Last Saturday, I joined the community in Barrhaven for a vigil honoring the memory of the family tragically murdered in their home on March 7. The weight of the situation was visible, and it was challenging to comprehend the horror of it all. Together, community members, politicians, Ottawa Police Services representatives, and many others gathered to share in the collective grief and offer support.
During the vigil, I unexpectedly ran into a friend whom I had trained with for marathons years ago. I learned that he had been a longtime teacher at the school attended by the two older children of the slain family. Despite being retired, he had returned to offer his assistance, helping teachers prepare students for the difficult news. My heart goes out to all the frontline workers who have been involved and tirelessly provide comfort and solace to those affected by this tragedy.
I want to express my gratitude to my Barrhaven council colleagues, Wilson Lo and David Hill, who have been actively reaching out to residents in distress during this challenging time. I also extend a special thank you to the Sri Lankan community, whose support for the remaining family members of the victims has been invaluable. Words cannot adequately convey the depth of their sorrow.
A tragic incident like this can affect each of us in different ways, if you or someone you know are struggling to cope with this or any other situation, there are a number of resources to access:
Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region – 613-238-3311
The Crisis Line – 613-722-6914
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa – 613-260-2360
