SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah — Hundreds of people gathered at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse Saturday to honor the lives of the West Valley City family members who were killed in what police say was a murder-suicide.
Family and friends poured into a chapel to honor the lives of mother Bu Meh, 11-year-old son Boe Reh, 8-year-old daughter Kristina Ree, and 2-year-old daughter Nyay Meh who were allegedly killed by their father earlier this week.
Inside, handwritten letters from the children’s friends were on display, while white and yellow roses filled the chapel.
During the funeral, people walked up to a podium to share thoughts and memories while family members or friends translated in either English or Karenni for the rest of the group.
Neh Meh, the kids' aunt, shared a few thoughts outside before the funeral service.
“First of all, I just wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. We would like to thank our family from outside of state for traveling through and for the community here,” she said. “I’d like to thank everyone for donating through the GoFundMe as well and just for everyone for praying for us.”
The funeral also took place on the 18th birthday of Sha Reh — the lone survivor of the tragic incident.
“May God give him the strength,” Neh Meh’s husband Laesgaw K’Chawtee, said during the funeral. “May God remind us of the importance of family. Father, give us the spirit to love one again and another.”
Neh Meh said she’s keeping her nephew in her thoughts.
“We’re still praying for our nephew Sha Reh,” she said. “Right now, we’re focused on him.”
The teen is no longer in critical condition and is considered stable. A family friend said Thursday that he has been awake but groggy, and able to answer some basic questions with one-word answers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, free support is always available. You can call 1-800-897-5465. You can also find resources at Utah Domestic Violence Coalition.
