UPDATE: A fund has been set up for Peter & LaTricia Shick. You can make a donation at any Austin Bank in the name of "Peter & LaTricia Shick Memorial Fund"
VAN ZANDT COUNTY (KYTX) - It's been four days since Ben Wheeler couple Peter and LaTricia Shick were found shot to death in their home. Now their family is speaking out for the first time.
They tell CBS 19 they are still shocked. They've spent the last few days trying to wrap their heads around what's happened.
They say the man police think killed Peter and LatTricia is an acquaintance, and they want him tracked down, so they can find both answers and closure.
"They were very loving parents," says the Shick's son-in-law, Ben Worsham.
He says he is still in disbelief about the sudden death of his in-laws. He last saw them July 21 for a family dinner at his home.
"Everything was eerily fine," he recalls. "It's hard to believe. It was the last time I saw them."
Friday, a family member found the couple dead in their home.
"It's left a huge void in our life," Worsham says.
He says there are so many questions still unanswered.
"Big questions," he says. "Why this happened, we just want to move on and remember them for who they were."
The focus now is finding the person investigators say did this. The Van Zandt County Sheriff's Department has a capital murder warrant out for 31-year-old Donny Lee Greenhow, who Worsham says his family knows.
"He was an acquaintance that we knew in high school for about a year. I have never met him other than high school, one time, and I really did not know him."
He says Greenhow did know Peter and LaTricia.
"He visited about once a year."
Worsham hopes by talking, the public will help police in the search for his in-laws' killer.
In a written statement, the Shick's family writes, "Anyone who could so brutally take the life of a 74-year-old grandfather and 55-year-old grandmother is a monster and has no place in our society, and the sooner he is off our streets the better."
"We want closure for the family and we want justice to be done," Worsham says.
Justice for two people that Worsham and his family describe as "truly beautiful and kind hearted people."
"It's a tragedy that they're gone."
If you do know anything about the case, or where Greenhow is call the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Department.
Investigators don't know what Greenhow's motive could have been to kill the Shicks. What they do say, is that the man is armed and dangerous. He has stolen many guns and cars, including the Shick's Dodge Truck, which police found recently in Waco.
The family will hold the funeral for Peter and LaTricia Shick Thursday. The service is at 2:00 at the Hillard Funeral Home in Van. The visitation begins at 1:00.
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Full written family statement:
I am Ben Worsham, the husband of Summer Worsham who is the youngest Daughter of Pete and LaTricia Shick.
The family is still in shock at how Pete and LaTricia, who were such kind and loving parents, were so brutally taken from us. The method by which they were taken has only intensified our grief. This senseless act has robbed the family's children of innocent parents. Additionally it has taken a grandfather in his retirement years and a loving grandmother.
Pete and Tricia were truly beautiful and kind hearted people. A void has been left in the hearts and lives of the family and so many friends of Pete and LaTricia. We pray that justice will be served and that the person responsible will not be able to inflict the ongoing pain and suffering felt by our family on any other family ever again.
The family would like to thank all those involved with this tragedy as they been considerate in the way they have been treated and kept informed as events have unfolded.
Although some questions have been answered, many remain and the family will continue to give the authorities their full support and help.
The family calls on anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to come forward, so that this man can be put behind bars. Anyone who could so brutally take the life of a 74-year-old grandfather and 55-year-old grandmother is a monster, and has no place in our society, and the sooner he is off of our streets the better.
The family continues to pray and are certain that with continued due diligence from the public and the authorities that Pete and Tricia's killer will be caught and brought to swift justice.
The family has been left in awe by the amount of support and practical help from people both in the local area and throughout the state, especially the close friends of the immediate family. However, much still has to be taken care of.
If anyone is inclined to give and/or donate to the family to help with the costs associated with the tragedy, a memorial fund has been set up to help cover expenses. Family members have set up the Peter and LaTricia Shick Benefit Fund at Austin Bank.
At this time the family would appreciate it greatly if the media would not try to contact any family members until after the funeral which is scheduled for this Thursday. I am sure you understand that this has been a very emotional time for the family.
Finally, and most importantly, the family would like to thank the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who we know in our hearts, will help them get everyone involved through this horrible tragedy. In the Bible, it says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and He has and will continue to strengthen the family throughout this very difficult time. Once again, the family and I, appreciate your time and patience in allowing them to have this forum to make a statement.
