Monday is National Rememberance Day for murder victims

Almost 10 years ago a Provo mother lost her son when his roommate came home and shot him in the stomach with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Now Keri Meldrum is helping others remember their loved ones who have been murdered. Monday is National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, and in honor of those who have lost their lives because of violence, Meldrum will be hosting a candlelight vigil from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the International Peace Garden in Salt Lake City, 1060 S. 900 West.

Not only will the names of those who have been murdered in Utah be read, but a moment of silence for the lives that were lost in the World Trade Center attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing.

Needing a different way to deal with her grief, Meldrum got involved with Parents of Murdered Children in 1999. The information POMC gave Meldrum helped her greatly, she said, especially since there are few outlets for those who lose a loved one through such extreme violence. After grieving for her son, 20-year-old Christopher Aaron Meldrum, for several years, Meldrum said she wanted to help other families that have gone through what she has.

Soon after, Meldrum became the contact for the Utah chapter of POMC.

"I don't want another family to feel all alone like I did," Meldrum said about why she joined the organization.

With the high-profile murders of 5-year-old Destiny Norton in July and 10-year-old Shelby Andrews in August, Meldrum said she felt the need to do this for her son and other families who are going through the life-long struggle of losing their child.

"Now I'm just ready to hope and pray that my efforts will pay off," she said.

Sept. 25 was chosen as National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims to honor Lisa Hullinger, the POMC founders' daughter, who died in 1978, according to the POMC Web site.

The grief and pain parents go through when a child is taken from them is something that can't be explained to someone who hasn't experienced it, Meldrum said.

"It feels like it just happened yesterday," the now Orem resident said through tears.

POMC offers literature on the grief process and what families can do to help siblings and parents cope with the trauma, Meldrum said. To get this information, Meldrum can be reached at 426-9711. She is the only representative of POMC in Utah.

For those attending the vigil, Meldrum said she suggest they bring a white candle and picture of their loved one who was murdered.

Katie Ashton can be reached at 344-2548 or kashton@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.