A letter from Richard G. Larson (deceased)

Written by a friend who cares

I loved my family. I loved the youth, the sounds, the challenges and the ups and downs. I loved my accounting practice, my clients and their families, and my community. I loved helping my parents and taking lunch to them every Thursday. I loved track and morning runs and being healthy.

I loved my wife, my son and daughter, and my grandson and little granddaughter. My grandson's girlfriend was a young spark in our lives and very special to us. My wife and I were in the autumn years of our lives. We all were looking forward to good years ahead together as a family.

But it all ended one day. It was to me like any other day. I was looking forward to going home, checking in, doing some chores. Unknown to me there was a murderer in my home that had targeted my family, intent on ending my life, my wife's life and those of my grandson and his girlfriend. He succeeded. He killed all of us over a few hours as he waited behind the closed doors of our Des Moines home.

He had stalked us in our home two days before, but this time he attacked us, one by one. He used several methods, all of them brutally effective, efficiently administered, well planned -- and permanent. As the moment of death was imminent, I did not know why he was doing this. What unfairness to not know why my family was being brutally destroyed and all but my son's and daughter's lives summarily ended.

If I could scream aloud it would be to ask why? And why is the person, who so horrifically killed us, now living comfortably as he has for over five years? And why doesn't he have the prospect of being tried for his crimes and being brought to justice?

His lawyers' success in their tactics has been tragic for us, the victims, and for you, the community. They have been successful at delay, legal games and manipulation of the system. They are responsible for things that should cause grave concern among you who are still alive and dependent on the criminal justice system to protect you.

The torment and sadness for my loved ones still alive is an unending daily ordeal. Maybe he will be tried some day when memories have faded, evidence has grown old and the reality of our lives grows distant. The defense lawyers are counting on it, and thanks to them, the score is now set: Larson family (deceased): 0, the defendant (cold blooded killer with long criminal record): 4.

But that is not why this is being written. There are bad guys, harmful people, predators and even killers still among you. They will strike again, creating more tragic victims and years of hardship and unimaginable pain. Out of this horror there is an organization that will be there for these new victims -- as they have been for my survivors since our deaths in 2001.

The organization is Families and Friends of Missing Persons and Violent Crime Victims. It is the only organization of its kind providing initial crisis intervention, peer support groups and other help following the trauma of loss. It is a non-profit volunteer organization. I am asking for your help on their behalf.

On Wednesday July 12, Families and Friends will hold a fundraising and get-acquainted breakfast for our community. The "Moving Mountains" event chair, former state Rep. Ida Ballasiotes, and King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng promise to keep it to one hour beginning at 7:30am at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Avenue in Seattle.

Please plan to come. Families and Friends does vital work for families like mine that are victims of senseless crime and violence. Please make time to offer your support and your presence at this event and give sound to my now silent voice. Help stand with my friends and help the people that were there for my family and who will be there for others.

Please call 425-355-6822 or toll free at 800-346-7555 to plan your attendance. Your help matters and is needed now.

[Thanks to my friend, Burien businessman William Larson (no relation), for assisting with this message.]

Editors note: Richard G. Larson, his wife. grandson and grandson's girlfriend were found murdered in their Des Moines home March 9, 2001. Mr. Larson was a Certified Public Accountant in White Center and South Seattle for many years. The defendant has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and ruled incompetent to stand trial. He is now in Western States Hospital.

The White Center Chamber of Commerce has named a scholarship in Richard's name in recognition of his community involvement. It is called the Richard G. Larson Memorial Youth Merit Scholarship and is intended to benefit Evergreen High School students.