Father speaks out after daughter’s death as mother now faces murder charges
Posted Sep 8, 2014 9:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The father of a little girl found dead in a truck near Sundre, north of Calgary, last Tuesday has issued a public statement.
The body of nine year old Amber Lucius was discovered after a visit with her mother in the midst of an apparently bitter custody battle.
Her father, Duane Lucius writes, his heart is broken and he is devastated by the tragic loss of his innocent, sweet and lovely daughter.
He thanks his community for their support and asks the media refrain from attending a private funeral for Amber, later this week.
The young girl’s mother, Laura Coward, age 47, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Coward was found near the truck where her daughter’s body was discovered and faces other charges of abduction, break and enter and theft involving a trailer in the area.
Amber’s father Duane Lucius issued the following statement Monday morning:
I am devastated by the tragic loss of my innocent, sweet and lovely daughter. My heart is broken. The time I had with Amber was cut short but the time I had with her will always be the most special time of my life.
Amber’s death comes as a terrible shock to all those who had the honour of knowing her, including her family and friends. This loss is felt by our entire community.
Amber was lots of fun. A parent never knows when a child may be taken from them, so I urge you to make the time to have fun with your children, and never take them for granted.
I want to thank the community for all the support I have received since I got this terrible news.
We will be holding a private funeral to mark Amber’s passing later this week.
We thank the media for respecting our privacy and ask that they do not attend the funeral. I also ask that the reporters refrain from making inquiries at Amber’s school.
The circumstances surrounding Amber’s death are still under police investigation and they will be sharing that information with the public as they see fit.
I am providing a picture of Amber and ask that it be used in any media coverage related to her death.
Thank you,
Duane Lucius
