METRO VANCOUVER — Laura Szendrei’s devastated parents say they feel some relief now that an 18-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder in the teen’s death.
Mike and Rachael Szendrei cheered as Delta Police Sgt. Sharlene Brooks announced the arrest at a news conference Monday morning.
But the parents choked back tears minutes later when they addressed reporters about how their family was forever changed by the fatal mid-day attack on 15-year-old Laura in a busy sports part last September.
"Just over four months ago we stood here pleading for help, asking anyone and everyone to help the Delta Police find the person who savagely took our daughter from us," Mike Szendrei said, his voice breaking.
"At the beginning, I honestly didn’t think the police would come through but they have. My wife, my daughter Sarah and I are thankful for all they have done for us."
Rachael Szendrei said the family just gathered Sunday to unveil Laura’s gravestone which "is something no parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece or sister should have to face or endure."
"Today we are here with mixed emotions. We feel the same depth of loss, grief and heartbreak, but today for first time we also have a sense of relief," she said.
Investigators arrested the suspect on the Delta-Surrey border early Sunday morning, Brooks said.
Because he was 17 at the time of the murder, his name can not be released by law. The skinny teen made his first appearance in Surrey Provincial Court Monday afternoon and was remanded in custody until March 7.
Both Mike and Rachael Szendrei attended the appearance.
Afterwards Mike Szendrei called the suspect "a little chicken head" and said he would "like to rip his head off."
"It’s lucky it wasn’t me he ran into," Szendrei said.
Brooks said the suspect is from North Delta and was not known to police prior to this incident. Nor was he in school.
She said police do not believe the accused killer knew Laura.
"There is no evidence to support that she knew who he was," Brooks said.
Laura Szendrei was walking a wooded area in Mackie Park, in the 8200-block of 110th about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25, 2010 when she was attacked. She succumbed to her injuries the next day in hospital, with her family by her side.
Brooks said the teen arrested is not the person whose description was released by investigators earlier in the probe as someone of interest.
Police have not revealed the cause of death beyond describing it as "blunt force trauma."
"The focus of the Delta Police remains long term therefore the Delta Police will not be in a position to provide additional investigative details as the investigation continues and must follow the course of due process before the courts," Brooks said.
Brooks said the murder of the popular teenager left the community fearful and reeling.
"In addition to our investigative efforts the Delta Police have been attentive and responsive to the widespread impact that the sudden and tragic death of 15 yr old Laura Szendrei had and continues to have throughout our community from students, teachers, parents, sports teammates, friends but more deeply Laura’s family," Brooks said. "Community care continues to be a key concern for the Delta Police and we have taken steps to ensure support is available and accessible engaging with the Delta School District, School Liaison Officers and Victim Services and the many resources available through them."
Delta Police Chief Jim Cessford said news of the arrest will inevitably bring more pain to the family.
"It is important for everyone to know that our police officers, civilian staff and volunteers have worked very hard on this investigation and we will make certain that we have not left any stone unturned," Cessford said.
Brooks said she couldn’t speculate as to whether the accused in Szendrei’s murder had anything to do with a string of assaults in the months prior.
"With respect to any previous assaults, they are still under investigation and we will not rule out any possibilities. But I am certainly not prepared to speculate at this point," she said.
Mike Szendrei, who is close to several full-patch Hells Angels, wore a shirt Monday emblazoned with the logo of "Hiway Choppers" – a company owned by East End Hells Angels president John Bryce.
Rachael Szendrei said the family still struggles every day with the loss of Laura, who "was full of promise and potential."
"There is no other way to describe our feelings about this arrest other than to say, we are thankful. We still have many questions unanswered. We don’t understand why this happened to our Laura. But we know the truth will come out in court. As hard as it will be to hear, we need to know the truth," she said.
"Laura does leave a legacy with us, her smile, her kind heart, her laughter, feisty and spirited nature and her passion for life. We miss her dearly."
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