Our little area of the Ottawa Valley was rocked Tuesday as we heard throughout the day that three women had been murdered in a killing spree.
We also listened as the OPP chased after the suspect.
Several facilities were on lock-down, including schools, court houses, lawyers offices and government buildings. As well, residents were warned to remain in their homes, behind locked doors.
When the tragic story ended, three women were viciously taken from their loved ones: Anastasia Kuzyk, Nathalie Warmerden and Carol Culleton.
They were murdered.
Anastasia, a 36-year-old real estate agent who had once been a watiress at the well-known Wilno Tavern.
Nathalie, a 44-year-old mother of two children, who was also involved in her community and environmental issues.
Carol, a 66-year-old widow who had recently retired and was relaxing at her cottage on Kamaniskeg Lake when the intruder killed her.
Three women who made people laugh, smile, start a new adventure together, who were proud of their children, who were involved in their communities, who loved life.
And, we also know they knew the man who had killed them — Basil Joseph Borutski, 57.
A man with a temper. A man with a record. A man who had been incarcerated, not once, but many times.
He was in court yesterday, but nothing happened. He was remanded back into custody and is scheduled to be back in court through video-conferencing on Monday, Oct. 5.
His family can visit him, as can his friends.
But, there are three women whose families and friends will be attending funerals. They will never hear their laughs, see their smiles or hear their voices.
There is a brother and sister who are mourning their mother’s death. They have only memories of a laughing, loving mother who died too young.
There is an entire community who is mourning the loss of three vibrant women.
There are so many questions that will never be answered, such as why was this man on the loose?; why was this man allowed to live in a community where women were afraid of him?
We can only hope people who are in abusive relationships know there is help for them.
We’ve heard the commercials and seen the ads for victims of violence.
Let’s all pay more attention to them, let’s all pay attention when a woman cries out for help, let’s all pay attention when we think something is wrong and speak out.
Let us never forget Anastasia, Nathalie and Carol.
