Under the moonlight of a chilly December evening at Willows Beach Park, hundreds of people stood silently, holding candles, and clutching their children close as they honoured two young sisters who were found dead on Christmas Day. A candlelight vigil was organized by the District of Oak Bay so a grief stricken community could come together to remember the love and spirit that the girls gave to the world. Police were called to a residence in Oak Bay on Monday evening where the bodies of two children were discovered. A friend and a family member have identified the girls as Aubrey Berry, 4, and her sister Chloe Berry, 6. Police have said an injured man, whose condition has not been disclosed, was found inside the home and taken to hospital.
Trisha Lee, a friend of the family said that long and difficult grieving process will be able to begin with the ceremony was held at Willows Beach.
"To all of us this means the community is holding us in their embrace," said family friend Sandra Hudson, who said she knows the family well and they regularly took vacations together. "We're all devastated. The girls were the type of people who need to be honoured," Lees said.
British Columbia's child and youth representative says his office is collecting information about two young sisters who were killed on Christmas Day. Bernard Richard says it is too early to say whether a formal investigation will be launched, but his office has contacted the B-C Coroners Service and the provincial ministry in charge of child welfare and has started gathering documents. Police discovered the bodies of the two girls inside a home in Oak Bay and are investigating the incident as a double homicide.
A statement was also released by Mayor Jense and the Oak Bay City Councel.
"We have been shaken as a community by the tragedy on Christmas Day. There are no words to express the sadness we feel for the loss of these two young girls and how to truly comfort the profound grief of their family. On behalf of Oak Bay Council, District staff, and residents of Oak Bay, I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of those two precious young girls. Our heart breaks for you and we, as a community, are here for you. I understand the family has asked for privacy so while it is very important that we support them, it is critical that we do so in a way that respects their wishes. We must also support each other and I’m so proud to see that is already occurring in various forms, all around Oak Bay. None of us escapes the impacts of such an inexplicable tragedy so close to home. We must also support each other during this time. Please join us as we come together in community to honour these beloved girls, Aubrey and Chloe. Thank you to our Police Department, first responders and those journalists in our community having to cover this heart-breaking and disturbing incident."