From Deseret News archives:
Orem reels from slaying
'Mental illness has robbed our family,' wife-mom says
She watched Christopher Kirsch plant it with the help of his son, Michael.
"He was always helping his parents out in the yard," Robbins said of the 31-year-old man who recently moved back home. "The last two things I saw him doing were painting the cinder-block wall, together (with his dad) as always, and Michael working in the front yard. I waved to him; he waved to me."
But neither father nor son will be back to water, weed or harvest the fruits of their labors together.
Michael Kirsch was arrested Sunday morning, accused of fatally stabbing his father 26 times with a 10-inch meat-carving knife after an argument in their Orem home.
He is being held in the Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated murder and aggravated assault on a $1 million cash-only bail. The assault allegation stems from a cut suffered on the hand by his mother, Elaine Kirsch.
"There have been many victims as a result of this tragedy," Elaine Kirsch wrote in a statement she left with her LDS bishop. "Mental illness has robbed our family. We love our son and we know he loved us."
"It's a loss for our students, faculty and staff," said Chris Taylor, spokesman for Utah Valley State College, where Christopher Kirsch taught since 2003 as an adjunct professor of geography and Latin American history. "He's served five years here and served our students very well. But more importantly, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this very difficult time."
The campus flag flew at half-staff Monday in honor of the educator, Taylor said.
Before coming to the academic world, Christopher Kirsch worked with DHL International and oversaw business operations across Latin America for 16 years, according to UVSC.
Elaine Kirsch is also a teacher, working with special-education students in the Alpine School District.
Another son, Nicholas, has served repeated deployments to Iraq with the U.S. Marines.
Fellow teachers from Greenwood Elementary in American Fork stopped by the Kirsch house Monday afternoon to offer support and love, although Elaine was out-of-town with extended family.
Recent comments
Professor Kirsch was my teacher for MLAH at UVSC. He was so kind and...
Danielle | Sept. 6, 2008 at 1:49 a.m.
Elaine - our hearts are breaking for you and your children. Please...
Darroll & Linda Tekurio | June 20, 2008 at 1:08 p.m.
We also new the Kirsch Family in Florida. We feel sad for what this...
Jim and Jean Miller | June 20, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime 1:11 a.m.
- UVU beats SUU; USU wins big 12:57 a.m.
- BYU spikers end season with a loss 12:55 a.m.
- Iverson may be headed to 76ers 12:34 a.m.
- Credit Coug defense for win 12:33 a.m.
- Aggies blow away T-birds 12:32 a.m.
- Mo steals show in Cavaliers' victory 12:31 a.m.
- Editorial: Facilitate Big Brother? 12:22 a.m.
- Mom befriends wife of PTSD vet 12:21 a.m.
- Political clash over U.S. debt 12:21 a.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
396 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
150 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73 - Letters: C02 causes warming
70
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
watch out for next year for sure, the negatives are just closet (and...
And something else, I generally follow players from the state schools when...
I could care less that Max Hall said what he did. The feeling is mutual BYU...
Dear Max, probably could have done without that comment. Probably would've...
As a Utah fan, let me first say congratulations to Max Hall, the Cougars, and...
Geno's and Pat's are good.. but, they are mostly for tourists, the real...
(You even got a middle initial... how's that for 'ya Max) It's nice to see...
Even today, I still cannot get enough of this movie or Charles Gitonga Maina....
...disappointed with Max Hall's comments that he hates everything about UofU....
Over the last few days I read comments of people complaining about tasteless...



