Family of Woman Murdered by Neighbor Speaks for First Time
By: Nick Ochsner
Updated: January 12, 2013
The family of Michele Terry spoke with KAMC News for the first time in an exclusive interview.
David Turpin, Terry's brother-in-law, spoke with us on behalf of the family. He says the family is doing their best to make sense of what happened, as they take steps necessary to hand a loved one's sudden death.
"It's just shocking," he said. "You don't prepare for someone to die this suddenly."
Terry was found dead in her apartment when firefighters rushed in to put out a fire after a neighbor spotted smoke billowing out of her apartment.
Police have arrested her neighbor, 22-year-old Austin Hasten, with her murder.
Turpin said Terry and Hasten were friendly neighbors but was unclear on how well they knew each other.
Despite the charges against him, Turpin said the family has decided to take an unexpected view of Hasten and his family.
We hate what he did but we're not hating him," Turpin said. "As a family, we're not hating this accused person. We're looking at his family, also and the shock that they're going through."
A memorial fund has been set up to help Terry's family with funeral costs and other expenses. You can donate to the fund by visiting any area City Bank location and asking to give to the Michel Terry Memorial Fund.
David Turpin, Terry's brother-in-law, spoke with us on behalf of the family. He says the family is doing their best to make sense of what happened, as they take steps necessary to hand a loved one's sudden death.
"It's just shocking," he said. "You don't prepare for someone to die this suddenly."
Terry was found dead in her apartment when firefighters rushed in to put out a fire after a neighbor spotted smoke billowing out of her apartment.
Police have arrested her neighbor, 22-year-old Austin Hasten, with her murder.
Turpin said Terry and Hasten were friendly neighbors but was unclear on how well they knew each other.
Despite the charges against him, Turpin said the family has decided to take an unexpected view of Hasten and his family.
We hate what he did but we're not hating him," Turpin said. "As a family, we're not hating this accused person. We're looking at his family, also and the shock that they're going through."
A memorial fund has been set up to help Terry's family with funeral costs and other expenses. You can donate to the fund by visiting any area City Bank location and asking to give to the Michel Terry Memorial Fund.
