Murder victim brought joy to family: Aunt

[attach]6378[/attach]The aunt of homicide victim George Fawell, who was brutally murdered in South Riverdale last week, made a public appeal today for people to come forward with information.

During a news conference at police headquarters, Deanna Parlee, whom Fawell would often call “mom,” was visibly distraught as she spoke of her nephew.

“As a son he brought a lot of joy,” she said choking back tears. “We all want his killer or killers brought to justice.”

Parlee said Fawell, who just turned 24 the week before, grew up in the neighbourhood and was well known in the area, particularly to his five younger siblings.

“They’re having a very hard time dealing with this,” she said.

Det. Gary Giroux announced that, according to the pathologist’s findings, there were at least two murder weapons.

“The cause of death is stab wounds to the chest and chopping wounds to neck and head,” he said, adding the post mortem took 12 hours to complete due to the number of wounds.

Giroux said Fawell was not involved in gang activity and, though he was known to police, it was for a “dated criminal history.”

The attack was likely very personal, he added, saying there must have been a lot of baggage between Fawell and his killers, considering the extent of Fawell’s wounds, which Giroux described as being some of the worst sharp-force injuries he has seen in his 16 years as a homicide detective.

“It is entirely over-the-top personal from what I saw,” he said. “It was far beyond what was necessary to kill someone.”

Media reports have also alleged that Fawell’s hands were tied behind his back.

Giroux declined to comment on suspects, but did suggest police are getting close to arresting those responsible.

“I’m going to say that we have some investigative direction that we’re pursuing,” he said. “The investigation is very, very active and we are encouraged by that.”

Giroux ended the conference by giving a stern warning to anyone involved they will face serious charges, even if they are not directly involved with the murder but with helping those responsible after the fact.

He suggested those responsible contact a lawyer and turn themselves in, while others who know what happened but may not have known they would become party to the murder, to come forward as witnesses.