WATCH: The death of Oak Bay sisters has been difficult not only for those who know the family but for strangers who just can’t imagine how it could happen. Isabelle Raghem reports.
Oak Bay is continuing to grieve after the loss of two young girls during the holiday season and a local psychologist says it’s not unusual for the larger community to be affected in the light of a tragedy.
Chloe Berry, 6, and her sister Aubrey, 4, were found dead in an Oak Bay apartment on Christmas Day in what police are calling a double homicide.
Psychologist Dr. Madelaine Tiller says a tragedy like this one doesn’t only impact those who knew the sisters; even strangers can be traumatized by it.
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“It’s not something that we commonly experience but it’s real, “said Tiller, “The way in which they have died it’s shocking, it’s horrific and it causes people to contemplate their own losses, their own pain, perhaps some fears they may have.”
“People just need to see their neighbour, to touch their neighbour and give their neighbour a hug,” said acting Oak Bay Mayor Hazel Braithwaite. “Obviously an event like this affects people across the nation, it’s not just Oak Bay, not just Greater Victoria, it’s people across Canada.”
The District of Oak Bay is organizing a vigil for Dec. 30 and said residents from the community and the region can come to Willows Beach to ?comfort each other and to show support for these precious children, their family and their loved ones.?
The candlelight vigil on Dec. 30 will start at 7 p.m. on Willows Beach and will last for approximately one hour.
“The vigil provides a vehicle for people to come together for support,” said Tiller.
The expert in grief and trauma counselling adds adults and children can process their grief by drawing.
“You don’t have to draw a picture, you draw feeling. So a feeling could be like [an ‘X’] or like this with a question mark.”
Tiller also recommends dial 211 or visit the BC 211 website for support.
Isabelle Raghem
