WARNING: This story contains graphic content. Discretion is advised.
CALGARY – The family of 26-year-old Calgary mother Christa Cachene said Thursday she was pregnant when she died.
Cachene’s mother doesn’t believe Christa even knew the news when she was killed on Oct. 11. She said she didn’t think her daughter would have had a party if she was aware.
“If she would have known she was pregnant, she wouldn’t have been drinking.”
Christa’s sister, Jaci, is now taking over guardianship of her two children.
“We’re all still in shock,” she said. “There’s a lot of transitioning for the kids and myself. I’’m just trying to make sure they’re comfortable where they are and that they are safe. It’s been really stressful for us.
“I just can’t believe this is happening…she was just so loving.”
Christa’s mother, Nancy Cachene, broke down speaking about the loss.
“The hardest thing for me to watch is my grandkids without their mother. This person took my baby away.”
Christa’s father, Leslie Whitehead said he’s upset.
“As a dad…I’m very angry. I have no words to say what I feel,” Whitehead said, crying as he described her as “a very beautiful person.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up by family of Cachene to help pay for funeral expenses and to help get the children settled in their new home. You can visit the fundraising site here.
One of her children has a birthday coming up later this month. Her sister is trying to make that a happy time, despite the huge loss.
“There’s a lot financially that’s really stressful that we’re going through right now but you know, we have had a lot of support.”
The man accused of killing Cachene remains on the loose. Eighteen-year-old Isaiah Rider is wanted for second-degree murder.
“We have information that Mr. Rider is still in the greater Calgary area and we’re hoping people that know him, that have been in contact with him, will come forward and contact police,” said Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm.
“I have no words for him…it’s just disgust,” Jaci told Global News Thursday. “For the people who are hiding him, for the people that know what happened that night and aren’t saying anything—they are just as guilty. Turn yourself in!”
“I’ve been really angry lately, I haven’t had the time to be sad, and I’m just so angry that this guy is still on the loose.”
Her family is struggling to understand why anyone would kill Christa. She was beaten beyond recognition.
“That was unbelievable,” said her mother. “I couldn’t recognize her…not even one piece of her skin I could recognize—nothing about her. That was the hardest.”
Anyone with information on Rider’s whereabouts is asked to call the Calgary Police Service’s non-emergency line at 403.266.1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip line at 403.428.8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.
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