Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Kathryn and Alvin Liknes disappeared from their Parkhill home more than two weeks ago. An AMBER alert was issued and teams scoured the area for the missing couple and their grandson but to no avail. It has been reported that there has been no sign of the boy or Alvin and Kathryn Liknes since June 29th, but police say there is sufficient evidence to conclude they have been killed.
According to other media Douglas Garland, who had been a ‘person of interest’ since early on in the investigation, was arrested and charged Monday, although police have yet to find the bodies of the victims. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.
A memorial of thoughtful gifts grows outside the Liknes home continues to grow as concerned citizens pay their respects. In other cities and provinces across the country, including Toronto and British Columbia, green balloons have been released into the sky in honor of Nathan O’Brien and Alvin and Kathryn Liknes.
On July 15th at 8 pm the community of Chestermere gathered at the John Peake Park gazebo to show their own support and concern for Nathan O’Brien, his parents, and grandparents Kathryn and Alvin Liknes by releasing green balloons of all shapes and sizes into the clear sky over Chestermere Lake where the warm summer breeze swept them up and carried them away, vanishing into the distance within minutes.
Some of the children who came with their parents cried when a balloon slipped from their grasp or popped unexpectedly, but it was a more tearful experience for the parents who tried explaining to their little ones what happened to another little boy. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families that had to go through this tragedy.
It was a beautiful, moving tribute and nobody wants to take away from it, but there are concerns about what happens when those balloons of hope reach the end of their journey. How will the scattered latex affect the wildlife of our prairie land? Several individuals have asked if there are other ways to express our support for this family in a way that is environmentally friendly and this is certainly a topic that we would love to have addressed in letters to the editor.
