Statement from Linda Damm's family
Our sister, Linda Louise Damm, age 52, was born in Spokane, Washington on 12-11-1954.
She is survived by her daughter, Tess Damm, age 15, born in Boulder, Colorado on 07-16-1991.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Diane who passed away in 2005 in Colorado.
Her adopted father, Leo, lives in Minnesota.
Her eldest sister, Helen, age 54, lives in California with her two daughters and one son. Tess came to live with her aunt Helen in the fall of 2006, but returned home when her mother was taken ill.
Lindas younger brother, John age 46, resides in Colorado with his partner of 25 years.
Her sister, Leeann, age 42 also resides in Colorado with her husband and daughter.
We all grew up in the Colorado area. Our mother was an alcoholic and it was not an easy upbringing.
We want everyone to know that Linda made every effort to dedicate her life to raising her only child, Tess. We are sad to say that alcohol also played a significant role in Lindas life. She was a functioning alcoholic for many years, however the last few years Linda found her addiction more and more difficult to deal with. We supported and encouraged her recent efforts to get help, but Linda was not able to conquer her addiction. This resulted in a downward spiral in her abilities to properly care for herself and her daughter, Tess.
The family realizes that there is a great deal of interest in this crime and we sympathize with the medias need to inform the public of every detail. We ask that you realize, however, that we are not privy to any sort of inside information. We get our facts that same way that the public does and that is through the television and the newspapers. Each day we wake to a new set of facts just as you do. It would be impossible for us to make a statement regarding the case or our nieces involvement, simply because we know nothing more than those sources reveal to us daily.
The family would like to request privacy which is why we are not releasing last names. Our sister, Linda, was a VERY private person. Few people knew her closely and we want to carry forth that tone of privacy. We have agreed as a family however, to release a photo that was taken at a time when she was healthier. This is the only photo that will be released.
The family would further request that you would honor the memory of Linda in the following way.
* Love, honor and HOLD your children.
* Immerse yourself in every aspect of their lives-school, sports, and especially their friends.
* Know where they are and who they are with. When they are not with you, be absolutely certain that there is an adult that you know and trust to watch over them.
* If you are a single parent, you must build a support system for the sake of your children. This is not an easy time to raise children, especially alone. Hold your children extra tight.
* SUPERVISE all computer activity. Know their Myspaces and hold them accountable for every thing that they post.
* Teach them to value life, and maintain integrity, respect and to be appropriate at all times in all matters.
Our family would further like to state that we feel that every person involved in this horrific crime that resulted in the death and desecration of our sister should be held accountable. Our wish is that the truths be learned and each person prosecuted according to the role that they played in ending the life of our sister. We would also hope that each person will be able to receive the psychiatric rehabilitation that they might need. At the same time, we want Tess to know that we love her. We ask that all of you would try to comprehend the depth of this conflict within each of us in the family. The family were able to see and hold Tess on Wednesday after the hearing. Tess, Jared, Bryan and Jared have long roads ahead of them. Please pray for them.
In lieu of flowers, one of Lindas close friends is in the process of setting up a fund to help the family deal with the sudden onslaught of the current and ongoing financial obstacles brought to our family by this crime.
There will be no further statements given by any family members for the foreseeable future, nor will we answer questions at any proceedings. We ask that you respect our privacy and allow us to the inevitable sadness, shock and grief that grips us at this time and will likely be with us for some time to come.
Thank you,
Written by Tesss aunt, Helen on behalf of the family of LINDA AND TESS DAMM.
Our sister, Linda Louise Damm, age 52, was born in Spokane, Washington on 12-11-1954.
She is survived by her daughter, Tess Damm, age 15, born in Boulder, Colorado on 07-16-1991.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Diane who passed away in 2005 in Colorado.
Her adopted father, Leo, lives in Minnesota.
Her eldest sister, Helen, age 54, lives in California with her two daughters and one son. Tess came to live with her aunt Helen in the fall of 2006, but returned home when her mother was taken ill.
Lindas younger brother, John age 46, resides in Colorado with his partner of 25 years.
Her sister, Leeann, age 42 also resides in Colorado with her husband and daughter.
We all grew up in the Colorado area. Our mother was an alcoholic and it was not an easy upbringing.
We want everyone to know that Linda made every effort to dedicate her life to raising her only child, Tess. We are sad to say that alcohol also played a significant role in Lindas life. She was a functioning alcoholic for many years, however the last few years Linda found her addiction more and more difficult to deal with. We supported and encouraged her recent efforts to get help, but Linda was not able to conquer her addiction. This resulted in a downward spiral in her abilities to properly care for herself and her daughter, Tess.
The family realizes that there is a great deal of interest in this crime and we sympathize with the medias need to inform the public of every detail. We ask that you realize, however, that we are not privy to any sort of inside information. We get our facts that same way that the public does and that is through the television and the newspapers. Each day we wake to a new set of facts just as you do. It would be impossible for us to make a statement regarding the case or our nieces involvement, simply because we know nothing more than those sources reveal to us daily.
The family would like to request privacy which is why we are not releasing last names. Our sister, Linda, was a VERY private person. Few people knew her closely and we want to carry forth that tone of privacy. We have agreed as a family however, to release a photo that was taken at a time when she was healthier. This is the only photo that will be released.
The family would further request that you would honor the memory of Linda in the following way.
* Love, honor and HOLD your children.
* Immerse yourself in every aspect of their lives-school, sports, and especially their friends.
* Know where they are and who they are with. When they are not with you, be absolutely certain that there is an adult that you know and trust to watch over them.
* If you are a single parent, you must build a support system for the sake of your children. This is not an easy time to raise children, especially alone. Hold your children extra tight.
* SUPERVISE all computer activity. Know their Myspaces and hold them accountable for every thing that they post.
* Teach them to value life, and maintain integrity, respect and to be appropriate at all times in all matters.
Our family would further like to state that we feel that every person involved in this horrific crime that resulted in the death and desecration of our sister should be held accountable. Our wish is that the truths be learned and each person prosecuted according to the role that they played in ending the life of our sister. We would also hope that each person will be able to receive the psychiatric rehabilitation that they might need. At the same time, we want Tess to know that we love her. We ask that all of you would try to comprehend the depth of this conflict within each of us in the family. The family were able to see and hold Tess on Wednesday after the hearing. Tess, Jared, Bryan and Jared have long roads ahead of them. Please pray for them.
In lieu of flowers, one of Lindas close friends is in the process of setting up a fund to help the family deal with the sudden onslaught of the current and ongoing financial obstacles brought to our family by this crime.
There will be no further statements given by any family members for the foreseeable future, nor will we answer questions at any proceedings. We ask that you respect our privacy and allow us to the inevitable sadness, shock and grief that grips us at this time and will likely be with us for some time to come.
Thank you,
Written by Tesss aunt, Helen on behalf of the family of LINDA AND TESS DAMM.
