‘Why did this happen?’

“In life there are so many things that cannot be explained. Like, why is the sky blue? Why does the ocean look blue? In our family, it’s why did Joseph Edward Duncan III pick our family? Why did this happen to those who deserve to live the most? These are the questions we ask every day and will for the rest of our lives.

“There is no way to replace what has been taken from us.

“Like Brenda’s attitude and the way she made you feel when you were with her. Who cares what happens, as long as she’s around, we’ll have fun doing it. To Brenda, family was most important to her. Family gatherings and such.

“What about Slade and Dylan? We won’t see them grow into men. We won’t be going to any graduation, and they won’t get to have a wedding day. So many other things they were cheated out of.

“Then there’s Mark, the manliest of men, a hard worker, hunter, very prideful, devoted, loving, and most of all he was a provider for a family he called his own. He was the type of person you wanted around when you were having a bad day. Because he would make you laugh and forget about your problems, if for just a little while.

“There are things we know for sure. Our family has become closer than ever. We are dealing with this huge loss the best way we can. It really helps to have each other.

“Thank God we have Shasta as a constant reminder of how great those we lost were and still are in our hearts, forevermore.

“To lose this many people you love, and to murder, it is truly a living hell. People always say time makes it easier. We disagree. You never get over something like this. We have learned to take one day at a time.

“It has been a year since the murders, and it feels so fresh in our hearts. This family is strong, and we will always remember those we lost for the great and wonderful people they were.

“We have a sky full of angels to watch over us, and you couldn’t ask for better guardian angels. We were truly blessed by having them in our lives here on earth. Someday we shall meet again.”