Reader comments
Orem reels from slaying

Anonymous | 8:26 a.m. June 17, 2008

And a quick note to the Ragsdale family, it's quite apparent that this situation and the murder David Ragsdale "allegedly" commited are quite different. Don't even think to combine the tragedy of Kristi Ragsdale's death with this one.

Anonymous | 8:26 a.m. June 17, 2008

Ms. Robbins, thank you for being a concerned neighbor. Absolutely water and weed their garden. There are so many needs at a time like this and if you see one, jump in and help.

Mr. Kirsch | 8:27 a.m. June 17, 2008

I had Mr. Kircsh as a professor at UVSC. He was such a caring man, and understading. You could tell he had so much love for others, and for his family.

Comments continue below

Orem Mormon | 8:28 a.m. June 17, 2008

My love and PRAYERS go out to the Kirsch family. And I pray for you and your family too, Kay.

The Jensens | 8:43 a.m. June 17, 2008

Elaine, we love you and your family. It seems like just yesterday that we were together in the North Lauderdale Ward. We are so sorry for this terrible tragedy. Chris is a great man and I am grateful to have known and served with him. You and your family are in our prayers.

m | 10:59 a.m. June 17, 2008

I am so sorry for this family. I work with people who struggle with mental illiness and I have seen the how it can destroy families. No one can judge what happened last sunday because no one really knows, except God and that tormented soul. I feel sorry for him as well because when he comes to term with what he did, his grief will be inconsolable.

roger | 11:50 a.m. June 17, 2008

love and condolences to the family and neighbors.

Debra | 1:09 p.m. June 17, 2008

I really feel for their family and express my condolences. I'm glad I'm not the one that has to make the final judgment on this situation, since I just don't have enough information. I've never had to deal with mental illness myself or in my family, and I do not envy that particular trial.

Anonymous | 1:17 p.m. June 17, 2008

i'm sorry for the familys loss. but don't blame the lds church. myboy

Bill | 2:41 p.m. June 17, 2008

I cannot comprehend the suffering that Mrs. Kirsch must be going through. My heart goes out to her and I offer my deepest condolences to this wife and mother who has suffered a devastating double tragedy in her life. She needs our prayers.

Becky | 6:34 p.m. June 17, 2008

I had Professor Kirsch as a teacher as well. He really did care about his students and wanted us to learn. I enjoyed his class. I feel deeply for his wife and family.

Gal50 | 7:31 p.m. June 17, 2008

StoryQuote: Ideally they (would) never reach this (criminal justice) system because their conditions and their behaviors become apparent to those who have the ability to take care of them before they ever get to the criminal justice system." EndQuote

This quote is extremely unjust to the Kirsches who appear to have done everything possible within the letter of the law to help their son.

For anyone who does not have a severely mentally ill family member, you should know that the law prohibits you from doing those things that would most help the ill family member. When the patient goes off of his medicine, it is nearly impossible to commit the patient to treatment. The patient has every right to do as he pleases. It is very hard to get a hospital to take an unwilling patient and at most, the patient can stay for only a day or two, which is too little time to stabilize the patient. There is no way to force medicate a patient. I had a friend who left his wife, law practice and homeland for another country because "the FBI was out to kill him." The police said nothing could be done.

Anthony | 7:53 p.m. June 17, 2008

Chris Kirsch was my LDS seminary teacher in South Florida and I was friends with his son Shawn. He was such a great person and taught me things that I still remember to this day. Truly a tragedy and a deep loss...I will keep the Kirsch family in my prayers.

MoJules | 10:06 p.m. June 17, 2008

My heart goes out to this mother/wife, she is heart broken for the loss of her husband, but she is also heart broken for the cords of mental illness that have bound her son. My heart also goes out to this young man who obviously loved his father, but was not able to control himself, we can look at this as a n act of rage, but to me it looks like his mind snapped, as it has before. I hope that all of this family will find peace and comfort and that they will let the sweet spirit of the Atonement heal their broken hearts.

Bill Moore | 11:19 p.m. June 17, 2008

17 June 2008

I worked directly with Chris in DHL in the early 1980s in South America and later in DHL's Regional Office in Fort Lauderdale in the late 1980s. Chris was a friend, colleague and one of the kindest, most wonderful people one could ever know. If this message reaches Elaine, I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to her and her family during this most difficult, sad time for them. May God bless Chris.

Your friend,

Bill Moore

Bill and Eileen Ball | 10:42 a.m. June 18, 2008

We too knew the Kirsch family when they lived in South Florida. Chris will be remembered for his compassion and whit. Our love and prayers go out to Elaine and ALL the children.

Wendy Schrack-Tigner | 7:26 p.m. June 18, 2008

I too worked with Chris at DHL for 5 years in SFL. This news has hit many of us hard to say the least. Over the years it was clear Chris was a devoted Proud Family man. And in the office, always someone you could count on. If this comment finds Elaine or any of his children I hope you find some comfort in knowing the amout of people's lives your Father affected over the years. Our Thoughts are with you.

Wendy Schrack Tigner

Chad Ippolito | 9:16 p.m. June 18, 2008

I was in the same ward in Florida with them. They were very good friends with my sister, Leslie Beale and their children played together all the time. I in fact have been over their house many many times, and played with my niece and nephews and the kirsch kids. Wow... I went to seminary with Cammie. This is a devastating blow to a lot of us...

The Hite family | 1:15 p.m. June 19, 2008

We love you, Kirsch family, and we grieve with you. We remember great times bouncing on your trampoline overlooking the water in Florida. We remember the playgroup with the younger children and all the fun and great advise. We remember Chris's lessons in sunday school and how spiritually uplifting and fun they were---you always felt like you were right there in the holy lands! You are in our prayers.

Jamie Stein | 8:08 p.m. June 19, 2008

I was in Professor Kirsch's Latin America and Geography classes at UVU last semester. I remember how friendly and understanding he was towards his students, and I was very saddened to hear of this tragedy. Professor Kirsch always reminded us to consider all sides of an issue. We need to remember to consider all sides of this one as well; his wife has lost both a husband and a son due to mental illness, and my heart goes out to the whole family for their loss.

Jim and Jean Miller | 12:31 p.m. June 20, 2008

We also new the Kirsch Family in Florida. We feel sad for what this family has had to endure. Elaine has always been strong, and she will need her faith and strength now. Our prayers are with Elaine and her children. I know they will make it through this tragedy. Know that we send our love and prayers. Wish we could be there with you, but we know there are many people around you and that the Lord will be there with you.

Darroll & Linda Tekurio | 1:08 p.m. June 20, 2008

Elaine - our hearts are breaking for you and your children. Please know our love and our prayers are with you and Michael and all the children. Darroll and I cherish our memories from Florida and all we learned from both of you. May God grant you peace of mind and calm as you learn to deal with this tradgedy.

Danielle | 1:49 a.m. Sept. 6, 2008

Professor Kirsch was my teacher for MLAH at UVSC. He was so kind and a good teacher who expected you to do your part. He was a good man.

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2 photos

Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

In 2004, Elaine Kirsch, seated by her husband, Christopher, holds a photo of their son Nicholas. Another son, Michael, is accused of stabbing Christopher to death.

Gallery (2 photos)