The father of a nine-year-old girl killed in a murder-suicide near Smith, Alta. this weekend is trying to remember happier times with his family as he fights the grief of losing his only daughter.
Terry Eliuk looks through nine years of pictures and remembers all the happy memories he spent with his daughter.
"There's a fish we caught. This was her having a bath one day."
Four family members were found dead inside a house Sunday. Eliuk's daughter Misty, her mother Jolene, grandfather Ian, and grandmother Joan. It's believed the grandfather committed the murders and then took his own life.
"It's not something that happens every day and not supposed to happen anywhere," said Eliuk.
Eliuk was separated from his daughter's mother and lived near his former in-laws home.
He shared custody of their two children. The couple also has a 12-year-old son, who was with Eliuk when the incident happened.
"He knows it too very much, tells me that he could have been over there too," he said.
The RCMP are still investigating the circumstances of the deaths, but Eliuk said the grandparents were dealing with mounting financial and personal problems.
"Especially today money seems to be something that's pulling people apart more."
Local pastor Joe Mrak told CTV News the church and community is now offering support to the father and the young victim's brother.
"He is not alone in this. Terry also has his church family. The family that he worships with and they are right behind him 100 per cent."
And now Eliuk and his son will grieve their loss together, focusing on the tragedy that his daughter's life was taken too soon.
"It's Misty and her mom that aren't here. They're the ones we should feel for, not feel sorry for ourselves. (She) don't get to turn 10 and graduate," he said.
Autopsies on the four bodies were performed Tuesday afternoon, but the results have not been made public. RCMP have not officially released the names of the deceased.
With files from Bill Fortier
