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Memorial for three Laber family members revolved around depression, mental illness

Posted at 5:29 PM, Dec 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-06 19:30:23-05

LITTLETON, Colo.-- At a memorial service Tuesday inside St. Philip Lutheran Church, a father uttered words that no husband and father should ever have to in the wake of the deaths of his wife and their two young sons.

“Stunned and shocked and bewildered, by hands gripped the edge of Ethan's bed I pressed his pillow to my face searching for his smell," said Ryan Laber.

The three -- Jennifer, 38, Ethan, 5, and Adam Laber, 3 -- were found shot to death in the family’s minivan in the parking lot of the closed down Lone Tree Sports Authority store Nov. 29.

Jennifer’s death was self-inflicted, Lone Tree Police said.

During the memorial service family, friends and neighbors of the Laber family told stories that make them remember the three.

Ryan Laber candidly explained the part of the story that we haven’t heard, as well as his emotional turmoil since learning of their disappearance a week ago.

Laber summarizing the final words written by Jennifer in the note she left behind.

“Jen espoused her love. She wanted nothing but for Ethan and Adam to have a mother to depend upon, a mother who felt well, a mother without anxiety, or fear or reminders of her emotional state," said Laber.

Laber said the two of them had spent a lot of time recently trying to help her battle her deep depression.

“In her mind they deserve the utopia each of them had brought to our lives," said Laber. “There is no life without grief or loss, but there is also no living without the light brought to us, the light that we create and the light that we share."

The message the family and faith leaders want everyone to take away from this is not only what a big loss these three lives are, but if anyone needs help treating or dealing with depression or mental illness call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

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