Schalchlin Family Says Farewell
RICHLAND -- Weeks after their brutal murders, a mom and daughter are remembered.
Family members held services Wednesday for Lori and Elizabeth Schalchlin.
They were brutally murdered in their home just days before Christmas.
Action News reporter Chelsea Kopta talked to Lori's oldest child, who's had to face the fact he's burying his mom and sister, while his younger brother is behind bars.
He's the son of a murdered mother.
The brother of a murdered sister.
And all Steven has left of his family are pictures, and the final farewell at a viewing.
"To see them makes it final," Steven said, who asked that Action News not show his face or use his last name. "Seeing them makes it final."
The only remaining person close to the Schalchlin family is Steven's younger brother Donald.
But he's behind bars, accused of helping cover up the crime.
So it's Steven who made all the preparations for his family's burial: the viewing, the memorial service, the funeral.
"I want to make sure they get the service they deserve," he said.
Steven went back to the house on Ruppert Road where his beloved family was stolen from him to get the remaining pictures, mementos and belongings.
"Elizabeth's batons were there, she loved baton," Steven said. "And I took anything as rememberance."
But fighting for memories became it's own battle.
Over the years, Steven said the house became a mess.
It fell on him to clean up immediately so the homeowner could try and sell it.
But no one cleaned the crime scene.
So everyday when he went back, the blood of his murdered family and a killer's footprints still marked the floors.
"You didn't have to see what the crime lab did to see what happened," Steven said. "It got to the point where I had to get the pictures and get out."
After two weeks, Steven said he claimed everything from the house that meant something.
He's not even allowed in anymore so a realtor can go to work.
But he's got all that he went for.
And he's certain he doesn't plan to share those memories with the only blood brother he has left.
"Whatever hand he played in it, he helped some kid drag my sister's body," Steven said. "He wants the pictures but he wouldn't need family pictures... cause as of the 19th, he had a family."
Steven wanted to thank everyone who has helped him get to this point, including the Sheriff, the coroner and everyone who has helped donate.
There is a memorial service Sunday for Lori and Elizabeth Schalchlin that's open to the public.
It will be at Ki-Be high school from 11:00 to 1:00pm.
Family members held services Wednesday for Lori and Elizabeth Schalchlin.
They were brutally murdered in their home just days before Christmas.
Action News reporter Chelsea Kopta talked to Lori's oldest child, who's had to face the fact he's burying his mom and sister, while his younger brother is behind bars.
He's the son of a murdered mother.
The brother of a murdered sister.
And all Steven has left of his family are pictures, and the final farewell at a viewing.
"To see them makes it final," Steven said, who asked that Action News not show his face or use his last name. "Seeing them makes it final."
The only remaining person close to the Schalchlin family is Steven's younger brother Donald.
But he's behind bars, accused of helping cover up the crime.
So it's Steven who made all the preparations for his family's burial: the viewing, the memorial service, the funeral.
"I want to make sure they get the service they deserve," he said.
Steven went back to the house on Ruppert Road where his beloved family was stolen from him to get the remaining pictures, mementos and belongings.
"Elizabeth's batons were there, she loved baton," Steven said. "And I took anything as rememberance."
But fighting for memories became it's own battle.
Over the years, Steven said the house became a mess.
It fell on him to clean up immediately so the homeowner could try and sell it.
But no one cleaned the crime scene.
So everyday when he went back, the blood of his murdered family and a killer's footprints still marked the floors.
"You didn't have to see what the crime lab did to see what happened," Steven said. "It got to the point where I had to get the pictures and get out."
After two weeks, Steven said he claimed everything from the house that meant something.
He's not even allowed in anymore so a realtor can go to work.
But he's got all that he went for.
And he's certain he doesn't plan to share those memories with the only blood brother he has left.
"Whatever hand he played in it, he helped some kid drag my sister's body," Steven said. "He wants the pictures but he wouldn't need family pictures... cause as of the 19th, he had a family."
Steven wanted to thank everyone who has helped him get to this point, including the Sheriff, the coroner and everyone who has helped donate.
There is a memorial service Sunday for Lori and Elizabeth Schalchlin that's open to the public.
It will be at Ki-Be high school from 11:00 to 1:00pm.
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