Life After Murder, Life After Suicide
By Diane Schachter
On July 19, 2005, the unthinkable happened. Marlyn and Ian Ferguson’s 27 year old son Graeme was murdered. To lose a child to murder is devastating, and for Marlyn and Ian, moving through this proved to be the biggest challenge of their lives. Marlyn went through an array of feelings: Shock, disbelief, anger, disappointment, confusion, regret.
Despite her pain, Marlyn was open to talking to others about Graeme’s death. She found that talking about it eased her pain and gave others who had also lost a child, strength. Marlyn soon came to realize that although regular grief groups are helpful, there is a unique set of feelings for those whose loved ones have died because of homicide. Marlyn explains, “The Homicide Group came out of a need to offer something that wasn’t happening.” In 2009, through Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey, British Columbia, Marlyn launched support groups for Homicide and Suicide Loss. She can be reached at 604-506-8866. Read more
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