COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was a night for family and friends to mourn and remember their loved ones who were victims of homicide. The central Ohio chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of Homicide held the event for the 34th year at Wells Barn in the Franklin Park Conservatory Monday night.
"We don't want people to become members of our club,” said Donald Hochuli, a member of the group.
It's a club Hochuli became a part of 44 years ago when his 23-year-old daughter and 2-and-a-half-year-old grandson were murdered. Their case remains unsolved.
"I get emotional still, but you do it one day at a time,” Hochuli said.
He joined the central Ohio chapter of POMC about 20 years ago, hoping that sharing his story might help others through their grief.
"[It] let's these, I'd say younger people, in that their situation's younger, know that, hey, this guy's getting along, he's been doing it for 44 years. Maybe I can survive too,” Hochuli said.
Hochuli said sharing his story also helps him to keep his daughter and grandson’s memories alive. At the vigil, he shared his story with the other family members and friends of homicide victims.
"Using that, helping other people, at least there's some other good, a part of a good coming out of it,” Hochuli said.
A slideshow cycled through each loved one lost, and each family member and friend went to the podium to share their loved one's name. They hope their stories send a message that violence does not discriminate and these families will never forget them.
"You can carry on,” Hochuli said.
The central Ohio chapter of Parents of Murdered Children meets once a month. For more information, click here.