Still in Keizer

Elena's remains are still in Keizer.  She was cremated yesterday, which helps with the shipment costs back home.  Elena lived part or most of her life in Voronezh, which is south of Moscow, close to Ukraine in Eastern Europe.  Her father lives in Vladivostok, which is north of North Korea and shares the boundary of the sea with Japan.  It is still difficult for anyone in Keizer to find a resource that will ground transport from Moscow to Vladivostok, although a flight can be arranged for remains to be transported from the U.S. to Moscow.  This will be the next step.


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There have been a couple of agencies who have provided financial support for her father's family to cover the substantial costs to take her home and provide a burial.  This was a major relief, an answer to prayer for sure.

Elena's father, Nikolai, is a wonderful man.  I asked his permission to share his greeting and he desires to pass it along to everyone who loved "Lena."  He writes of his daughter,

Lena was a good, responsive girl. She had a difficult and at the same time an interesting life. Pass our thanks and best wishes to Doris, Glennis, church staff, and everyone who helped and knew Lena. We hope you Do not forget Elena from Russia.

Regarding the upcoming memorial, he writes,

Thank you for you connection with Lena’s friends. We are interested in sending our E-mail to Glennis and others. Wish good health of Doris, you can send our letter Doris too. We are grateful for the opportunity to order a memorial prayer in honor of Lena. We would be grateful if you could make a video, it is our memory. Do whatever you think is necessary.

Pastor Chris says that he will leave a time for her friends to give a eulogy during her service.

A Memorial Has Been Determined

There will be a memorial service to celebrate the life of Elena at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012.  It will be located at South Salem Church of the Nazarene.
  

At this time there isn't much information as to whether it is likely her remains will be present at her memorial.

Dave's Arraignment

This morning I went to Dave Eaton's arraignment and Kathie from Victim's Assistance went with me.  She has been looking for people in the United States to consider Elena's family.  Please give her a call, because I think it would encourage her that Elena does have "family" here.

Dave was quiet as he stood behind the glass.  He stood still, his eyes kept going around the room to assess who was present and whether he recognized anyone.  He did not look sad, to me.  He looked nervous, to me.  He saw me.  The room was not big at all.  Yes he knows me.  He knows that I love Elena.  He knows that I would take care of her so much as she permitted me in to her circumstances.  I know that I am not alone in feeling this way.  Glennis, Doris, the Church.  Linda, Sandra, they all loved her just as I did.   I felt them with me as I sat there looking at Dave.

He has a woman lawyer.  This is someone different than his divorce lawyer.  He did not make a plea today.  All that happened is that he was formally charged with murder.  Before today he was kept in jail based on the arrest suggesting he be charged with murder.  Murder carries a 25 year sentence.  This sentence comes without any kind of parole, or good behavior, or anything.  They do not find people guilty in ways such as murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, etc. here in Oregon.  They have aggravated murder, which means premeditated from what I understand.  They also have murder with a firearm.  Both of those would be an additional number of years added to the 25.  But he has not been charged with either of those by the grand jury.  

At the end of the 25 years he could ask for parole or release, but sometimes the courts will delay even hearing these for 2-5 years.  Dave would be 70 years old when the 25 year sentence is up.

The maximum sentence for murder is life, in prison.

There is a chance he will plea not guilty.  If he pleas not guilty, based on a case for self-defense which he already admitted to authorities was a false statement, there will be a trial.  A trial has the potential to last a minimum of one year in duration.  All the dirty laundry will be pulled out so to speak.  

His lawyer said today that she has not even had the chance in these number of days to do what is called "discovery."  It's a basic sizing up of the case.  The lawyer needs a chance to pour over all the evidence.  The lawyer will make an advisement to Dave as to what he should plea.  And then he will make a plea.

All of the court dates from this point will be held downtown in the Marion Co. Courthouse.  It is possible that they will not bring him out of the jail on Aumsville Hwy. to appear at these dates.  It is possible that the lawyer may declare his plea on his behalf without him in attendance.

There may be a couple of court dates before his plea is said.  Things are basically going to go slow.  

The next court date is December 13th.  I believe Judge Lee is presiding over this case.

A message from "mom and dad"

This below is from Michele's Mom and Dad.... We used to have Elena for our bible studies around the dining room table.

To Elena's family and friends:
Elena - a quiet, giving, and truly sweet lovely young woman...
She will be missed.
Our prayers are extended to her friends and family.
Remembering Elena's death as a transition to a higher and more glorious life with our Lord. I can only imagine the peacefulness and love that Elena is feeling right now.

Love Richard and Clare Partch~

Victim's Assistance

Good morning all....

I don't know much about Victim's Assistance yet but I spoke with a lady on the phone this morning.  She explained that especially in the case of murder they work with the victim's family to help them make decisions regarding how the last arrangements are made.  I know that Elena is nearby as of last Friday night at dinner time.  She's in a funeral home in Keizer, just a few streets down from where I live.  But no one is allowed to see the body from what I understand, that is if they wanted to.

The woman who can help with her particular case is in a hearing this morning but as soon as she gets out, she will call back.  She will be able to tell us the likelihood of the family permitting a memorial service including her body, here, before she goes.  I don't know.  She asked that in the case that the family wanted her home immediately could we still have a service for her and I said yes....  But there are people (including myself) who I mean, all I have is a text message that didn't get answered, and an article on Dave in the Statesman Journal, to fathom that my friend is gone.  You know?

So... Also...

I asked for whether the family could be asked for contact information.  I might not be the only one, I know that I would like to write to her father and brother.  I want them to know that she did not spend her days here alone or unloved.  The women's pastor thinks this is a good idea.  There is someone in my church who could translate to Russian.

The detective suggested making a video of a memorial service here and sending it to the family in Russia.  I thought that was a good idea.

Also, one of Elena's closest friends is in Michigan.  He cannot afford to come all the way out here and wants to be a part.  I suggested skype video.  That way we can hear and see him and he can be here as we hold a service.

If you have suggestions or requests, maybe you can mention them or else contact Pastor Chris at South Salem Nazarene church who said that he would love to hold the memorial service for her, and they would cover the costs of it.  

Elena's peace

Elena was a beautiful soul who is greatly missed. I can only pray that her soul is safe and at peace. I will live my life to honor her hopes, dreams and wishes.

Shock

Everybody grieves differently and that's ok.  I am the sort of person who prefers to write things down.

I am in shock.  We had talked a few days before Thanksgiving.  She and I had plans to return to Wednesday morning Bible Study together.  She had just moved to Keizer, and lived like a minute from me.  It was good to have her near.  That was Wednesday.  I can't believe it.

At some point I will be out of shock and try to write down some of my most favorite memories of Elena.  :)  There are a lot of great stories.

A Place to Remember Elena

I think there is shock going on all around for Elena's family here in Oregon... the people who love her so much.  In case you are just getting this, the Statesman Journal published an article concerning her passing.

Husband Charged with Wife's Murder

So, according to the detective her family in Russia have been contacted on Thursday.  They want her flown home to have a funeral there.  We may be given permission by her family to hold a memorial for her here in Oregon before she goes.  Since it's the weekend, we can pray that we get the opportunity... though I do want her to go to her family too....

This is a place for memories of Elena.  Pictures.  Stories.  And for us to communicate in these next few days about what is taking place with a possible memorial service.

Leave a comment below.  Or I will add you as an author to the blog and you can write your own post concerning news or your remembrances of her....  Whatever you would like.