It’s a bond none of them ever wanted to make, but they have come together by a forced circumstance. They are grieving parents.
They lost their children in a tragedy at an end-of-the-year university party in Calgary’s Brentwood neighbourhood. For the past two years since their deaths, their families have been getting together to support one another. It’s something they do every two weeks.
“Our children is the common denominator. They’re all great kids, they’re talented. It’s sad, but this is our new life, I guess,” said Marlene Hong, Lawrence’s mother.
Lawrence Hong, 27, Kaiti Perras, 23, Joshua Hunter, 23, Zackariah Rathwell, 21, and Jordan Segura, 22, were murdered at the party on April 15, 2014.
READ MORE: Timeline of the Brentwood tragedy
Their parents will be leaning on each other throughout the trial of the young man accused in the case, who goes to trial Monday.
“Things get forgotten and I don’t want our kids to be forgotten,” said Josh Hunter’s mother, Kelly.
“They were victims, but they lived.”
Reporter Jill Croteau shared time with the parents as they gathered together in the Global studios. This was their first group interview.
WATCH: Jill Croteau explains why the parents of the Brentwood five chose to speak to her in a group interview.
WATCH: Gregg Perras speaks fondly of the bond the five families share — and is especially touched at a routine Marlene Hong performs every day in honour of the five children.