KELOWNA, B.C. — A Canadian man that had aspirations to be a pastor has been charged with second-degree murder after his wife and two young daughters were recently found dead in their home.
Jacob Forman, 34, made his first court appearance on Thursday after authorities found his wife of ten years, Clara, and their daughters Karina and Yesenia, 7 and 8 respectively, murdered in the couple’s Kelowna home on Dec. 17.
The motive is not yet known and Forman showed no emotion during his hearing, according to Global News. The bodies of the victims were not found until two days after the incident.
Forman, who worked as a supervisor for a plumbing and heating company, met his wife in Mexico where he was attending a Christian retreat in studying to be a pastor. The two married four months later, and Clara moved to Canada, where she became a fitness instructor.
“She was a wonderful, wonderful mother, wonderful associate and wonderful person,” coworker Amanda Thomson told reporters, adding about Forman’s daughters, “They were sweethearts, just lovely little girls and we’re always going to remember and cherish them like that.”
According to Global News, Forman volunteered at the church he attended and served as the small groups coordinator.
The tragedy came as a shock to those in the community as the quiet family seemed to be happy.
“They were just very nice people,” neighbor Gail Baran told reporters. “You would never ever think that [such a thing could happen in] that family. They were very down to earth people. He would go to work everyday and appeared to be such a gentleman. It’s a shock for all of us here.”
Forman also posted happy photos and videos to his social media page, such as footage of Karina as a baby enjoying her birthday cake, according to CTV News.
After word of the alleged murders broke, those mourning the loss of Clara and the children set up a vigil outside of the home, complete with candles and stuffed animals. Messages of condolence have also been posted on Clara’s Facebook page.
“[J]ust read the horrific news. Truly sad and appalled at what this man did to his lovely children and wife. Shaken to the core,” one commenter wrote.
“My love to your family, sweet Clara,” a second stated.
“Likely untreated mental health,” another opined.
Forman’s attorney, Glenn Verdurman, didn’t didn’t know the motive either.
“Obviously he’s facing the worst possible thing he could be facing at this point in time. I can’t really speak for him, but he’s obviously holding up in court today, and I’m able to take instructions from him,” he told Crime Online.
Forman has been incarcerated without bail and prohibited from having contact with 13 people.
In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
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