Mother of BC children found murdered thanks community for support

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

MERRITT, B.C. - The B.C. mother who found her three children murdered in their home has commented publicly for the first time, thanking the local community for their support.

A letter sent to the Merritt Herald said members of the public have shared in the "horrendous tragedy." The letter, signed Darcie Clarke and family, says the family has received support from all over.

"To the people of Merritt and to every other community, both in and out of B.C., who have shared in our pain of the horrendous tragedy of our three little angels, Kaitlynne, Max, and Cordon Schoenborn," said the letter posted May 7 on the Merritt Herald website.

"We have received so much support, generosity and prayers that we wish to thank each and every person that has pulled together in our greatest time of need and grief."

It is the first time Clarke has commented publicly since she found the bodies of 10-year-old Kaitlynne, eight-year-old Max and five-year-old Cordon in the family's home in Merritt on April 6.

Clarke's husband, Allan Schoenborn, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder after he was discovered in nearby woods more than a week later.

The letter says the family can't express how much they appreciate what people have done for them in the wake of the tragedy.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

The sensational case captured the attention of Canadians coast to coast. It also raised questions about the justice system.

It was almost a day after the deaths that police told the public that Schoenborn was, in fact, on the lam.

Ten days after the deaths, a man walking his dog came upon a dehydrated and frostbitten Schoenborn in the bushes just kilometres from the scene of the crime.

The case has also raised eyebrows because Schoenborn was released on bail in connection with an incident at his children's school just days before the killings that led to charges of uttering threats.

He was released over the objections of RCMP and despite a peace bond and three arrests in the week prior to the deaths.

A coroner's inquest into the case has already been announced.