Hundreds turn out for vigil in Harrow following deaths of four people

Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil Sunday evening in Harrow to remember a mother, father and two children who were found dead in a home last week.

Essex OPP officers were called to a home on County Road 13 around 1:30 p.m. on June 20, where they the four deceased individuals. A cause of death and the people’s identities have not been confirmed by police.

Friends remembered the mother as a pillar of the community during a vigil at the Harrow Soccer Complex, with one speaker referencing how important she was to Harrow Minor Soccer.

"She was one of the hardest working, fierce-loving people I have ever met," said Harrow Minor Soccer president Landis Chartier.

"She loved her family endlessly. She was a person who you could always count on and her kids were proof of the living family unit they were, despite the tragedy surrounding their deaths."

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have not been disclosed by police.

The two children killed were a brother and sister, family members have said.

According to Chartier, the young girl had recently started babysitting her three-year-old son and nine-year-old stepdaughter.

"Just this past Monday, we celebrated her getting my son to sleep successfully," said Chartier.

Chartier described the deceased boy as someone who possessed qualities which she hopes her own son will grow up to have.

"Feisty, smart, funny and so loving. He was never afraid to show he cared with a random hug for those he loved," she said.

Along a fence separating a field at the Harrow Soccer Complex, community members laid notes, stuffed animals and flowers to pay tribute to the family.

The vigil ended with nearly every single one of the hundreds in attendance walking around the track and placing candles around it.

Lindsay DePano, a close friend of the family, described the mother who was killed as "somebody who could have been the mayor."

"We are all feeling sad, angry, numb and confused. How do we make sense of all of this? Why is life so unfair sometimes?" said DePano, adding the mother would have loved the outpouring of support shown by the community at the vigil.

"I know my amazing best friend and her beautiful babies would be so honoured and so proud ... I loved her so much and I don't know how to do this life without her. She was my person."

Paisley, who identified herself as the best friend of the young girl who was killed, also spoke during the vigil.

"I don't know what to say because this is just really sad. I really loved the whole family and I want them to fly high ... and watch over us forever and be proud of us."

CTV News reached out to OPP for an update on this case Monday — but provincial police spokesperson Derek Rogers said there is "nothing new to tell you."

CTV News is not naming the victims in this case out of respect for the family's wishes.