A woman is grieving the loss of her friend.
One bouquet of fresh flowers and one with plastic flowers were put among a couple feet of snow on Highview Drive in Huntsville — a tribute to two women found dead there last fall following a reported shooting.
See: Three dead in Huntsville shooting
“I am broken over this,” a friend of the family, Susan Currie, said.
On Oct. 25, 2024, a 52-year-old man contacted Huntsville OPP, saying he had harmed two family members. Police responded to the residence and communicated with the man before the bodies of the man and two women were discovered, according to the province's Special Investigations Unit.
The SIU is investigating and has yet to release any updates.
Currie, who lives in Aurora, turned to local social media last month, asking if anyone could deliver flowers to the home.
“I didn't want my friends to think I forgot about them. But I wasn't going to drive there,” Currie said. “No way could I look at that house, no way. I would just fall apart.”
What followed her request was a wave of support from the Huntsville community, as messages of kindness and condolences flooded her inbox, she said. But, Currie continued, there have also been hurtful comments that spread misinformation and cause unnecessary pain to those already grieving.
After reading some negative comments about the incident, a Huntsville local decided to step in, buying and delivering flowers to the home.
Trish Bennett explained her decision to help, saying: “I was a little disgusted about people’s reactions to (Currie's) post about the flowers. People can be so mean.”
Currie extended gratitude to Bennett and others in the Huntsville community for their kindness. Her message to everyone is to remain empathetic, compassionate, and respectful, especially during tragic times.
“I look back at the last text messages my friend and I shared, wishing each other a happy Thanksgiving,” Currie said. “Days later and she is gone from my life. If only this were a really bad dream.”
Currie said some friends of the family plan to gather in the spring for lunch to share stories — some small but meaningful memories — and possibly plant a tree in honour of her friend, since she was passionate about gardening.
“That will be really important for some of us for closure,” she said.
They are also looking into contributing toward a memorial bench in either Huntsville or Toronto.
Outreach resources for the community
Affected Persons Program: Call 1-877-641-1897 or visit siu.on.ca/en/apc.php
Muskoka Victim Services: Call 1-844-762-9945, email [email protected] or visit muskokavs.ca
Those with information about the investigation, including video or photos, are asked to contact investigators at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
Megan Hederson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays for MuskokaRegion.com. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.