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Letter to the editor

Family is 'forever altered' by killings

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 22, 2007

LARGO - In a statement released through police Friday, the family of Jennifer Davis and her two children said they held a private memorial ceremony Thursday.

"Our family has been forever altered by this unthinkable crime," the statement said. "Those of us who love Jennifer, Olivia and Magnus will find strength and courage in each other and now must begin the long process of learning to live with our losses."

Police suspect that Oliver Thomas Bernsdorff, 36, of Clearwater shot and killed Davis, his ex-wife, and her roommate, Andrea Pisanello, as well as Jennifer's two children, Olivia, 4, and Magnus, 2. Within hours, Bernsdorff was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound fired as authorities tried to pull over his van south of the Sunshine Skyway.

On Friday, Davis' family offered their thanks for "the kind words and gestures of friends, acquaintances, co-workers and even strangers (who) have helped restore our belief in the goodness of people that was shattered on Friday, Dec. 14."

In its statement, the family singled out the Largo Police Department, as well as other law enforcement agencies, "who worked so professionally and yet compassionately." They also praised Largo police victim advocate Coleen Chaney, "who is truly an angel sent to guide us."

Finally, the family expressed its appreciation to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast for providing comfort to the family even as hospice workers mourned the "senseless loss" of Davis and Pisanello.

"May the love of God shine upon Jennifer, Olivia, Magnus and Andrea," the family concluded. "May the peace of God sustain us all in the days ahead."

[Last modified December 22, 2007, 01:54:44]