I know I’m not alone when I say that watching the Liknes/O’Brien case unfold has been devastating.
As a relatively small community, it’s not too often we have a case of this magnitude happen right in our backyards. I think that fact alone is very unsettling for many people, myself included.
And now more than three weeks from the date that five-year-old Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes disappeared from their home in southwest Calgary, it seems like there are more questions than answers.
Police and investigators have had no easy task of combing through evidence and putting together a missing-persons investigation, and now, a murder investigation, while at the same time deciphering what information to make public that will not affect their efforts.
As hard as it is for us - the public - to not have an answer to this mystery, my mind keeps going back to little Nathan’s parents and siblings. How are they coping? As a parent, how do you make it through the day wondering every minute where your child is or what they went through in their final moments? And to have those same questions and worries about your own parents as well…
This kind of suffering is something that no person should have to experience, no matter what other unknown factors are involved in this case. I can’t imagine what kind of emotions someone in the position the Liknes/O’Brien’s family is in would be dealing with.
The community support and empathy shown for the family since day one has been impressive. It’s often seen in the most difficult times that once-strangers band together for a greater purpose. Dozens of people volunteered to help search public lands for evidence in the Airdrie-area until the Calgary Police Service asked residents to halt private searches. Hundreds of people in Calgary, Chestermere, Langdon, Airdrie and other communities across the province, and as far as Nova Scotia have released green balloons in the last few weeks to show their support for the family.
A candlelight vigil was held at the Parkhill Community Centre in Calgary, near the missing couple’s home, on July 11, gathering together hundreds of people in support of the family. Since that date, fundraising efforts have been initiated by neighbours, friends and strangers to help members of the victim’s family cope with the tragedy.
To date, more than $44,870 has been raised through the Nathan, Kathy and Alvin Fund – an online account through the website gofundme.com The fundraising goal is $100,000. The website states the funds will be used for any number of expenses the family will incur, including legal fees, travel expenses and memorial services.
All I can hope is that in the weeks, months and years moving forward this same level of support and interest shown to date doesn’t stop. And, that this tragedy doesn’t get pushed to the backburner as people continue on with their everyday lives, as difficult as that may be in such a busy world.
It’s heartbreaking to see such a seemingly-innocent family torn apart, and if keeping them in our thoughts is the least we can do, at least that’s a start.
As the case against the accused, 54-year-old Robert Douglas Garland, proceeds, the family will surely need more support than ever. And, if this case ever does get resolved, the Liknes and O’Brien families will continue to need the strength and support from the community, friends and neighbours to put their lives back together and move forward – a task which I’m sure seems unimaginable at this time.
For more information on the fundraiser or to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/aygrpk
