Friends reveal how they rushed to find 'gentle' father after reading his chilling Facebook confession about 'mass killing' of his daughter, wife and his sister... but it was too late
Longtime friend Brian Jones said he wanted to throw up when he saw the post was signed 'Daddio' - Randy Janzen's 'signature nickname'
Jones then went to check on Shelly at her home and found her car in the driveway and piles of newspapers dating back three days
Janzen apparently said his torment over daughter Emily's migraines had led him to kill her
Said he shot his wife Laurel so she wouldn't have to hear Emily died and gunned down sister Shelley so she did not 'have to live with this shame'
Published: 12:35 EST, 10 May 2015 | Updated: 17:11 EST, 10 May 2015
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The longtime friend of a Canadian man who apparently confessed to shooting dead his daughter, wife and sister in a disturbing Facebook status said he didn't believe the post was real - until he saw that it was signed with the father's nickname.
Brian Jones said he thought he was going to throw up when he saw that the message from pal, Randy Janzen was signed Daddio - his 'signature nickname'.
After reading the status, Jones and a friend rushed to check on Janzen's sister at her home in Langley, B.C.
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'Triple homicide': Randy Janzen (right) has apparently confessed to shooting dead his teenage daughter, Emily (center), wife, Laurel (left), and sister, Shelly, at two homes in Canada in a chilling Facebook post
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Chilling: In the online post (pictured), Janzen seemingly writes that his torment over by his 19-year-old daughter's debilitating migraines has led him to fatally shoot her in the head at a house in British Columbia
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Longtime friend Brian Jones said he thought he was going to throw up when he saw that the message from pal, Randy Janzen was signed Daddio - his 'signature nickname'
When they arrived they saw a stack of newspapers, dating back three days and despite there being a car in the driveway, nobody answered the door.
Jones immediately went to the police, who said they had been receiving calls about the Facebook post.
'We knew something was very seriously wrong,' he said. 'Deep down, I knew it was real,' he told the Toronto Star.
In the disturbing online post that sparked Jones' panic, Janzen calmly explains that he has killed his 19-year-old daughter Emily because he couldn't watch her suffer debilitating migraines anymore.
He then admits that he has gunned down his wife, Laurel, 'because a mother should never have [to] hear the news her baby has died', and his sister, Shelly, so that she did not 'have to live with this shame'.
Shortly after the post was uploaded to the social network on Thursday, investigators confirmed a multiple homicide involving relatives had taken place at two different residences in the province.
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Jones said Ranzen had become 'consumed' with his daughter's terrible migraines. 'He couldn't stand to see her suffer,' he said
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Couple: In the post, Janzen adds that he gunned down his wife (seen with Janzen) 'because a mother should never have [to] hear the news her baby has died', and his sister so she did not 'have to live with this shame'
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Burned: Shortly after the post was uploaded to the social network on Thursday, investigators confirmed a multiple homicide involving relatives had taken place. Following the shootings, police surrounded one of the two residences and fired distraction devices into it. The house shortly exploded into flames (pictured)
At around 3pm on Thursday, police learned from a tip that a man had possibly killed his relatives and rushed to the Langley property, where someone was found dead inside, CBC reported.
A second tip sparked concerns about the property that was reportedly owned by Janzen in Llanberis Way, east of Chilliwack, where neighbors apparently heard a series of gunshots followed by 'a loud bang'.
A SWAT team surrounded the house and a standoff ensued. Around four hours later, officials fired distraction devices into the house, which quickly set ablaze and exploded.
Janzen is believed to have killed himself during the police standoff, according to The Province.
Although the man and the victims are yet to be formally identified, Janzen owned the home that exploded on Llanberis Way in Rosedale and neighbors said a family of three lived at the property.
Jones is still trying to fathom how his 'gentle' friend could possibly be linked to such a gruesome crime. He said he didn't even know his friend owned a gun.
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Police: Although the man and the victims are yet to be formally identified, Janzen owned the home that exploded on Llanberis Way in Rosedale. Neighbors said a family of three lived at the house (seen far left)
Randy Janzen's daughter Emily was a talented singer
'He never hurt a fly is his whole life,' Jones said. 'When we were all young and getting in fist fights, Randy didn't do that.'
'He wasn't a monster.'
But Jones said his friend had become 'consumed' with his daughter's terrible migraines.
'He couldn't stand to see her suffer,' he said.
The post Janzen supposedly wrote discusses his 'dear, sweet, loving' daughter Emily and her migraines at length.
'The best little girl two parents could ever hope for,' he apparently writes.
'Emily excelled at so many things but slowly had to stop almost everything because of the migraines.'
'I don't think anyone really knew how much pain Emily was in on a daily basis and the severe depression that these migraines caused her.'
'Emily had tried everything to get better but nothing seemed to help her. I took a gun and shot her in the head and now she is migraine free and floating in the clouds on a sunny afternoon.'
He adds: 'Then I shot Laurel because a mother should never have [to] hear the news her baby has died.'
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'Victims': Janzen is believed to have killed himself during the police standoff. It is not yet confirmed that he wrote the post that appeared on his Facebook page.Above, Emily is pictured with her mother, Laurel
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On Friday, an Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokeswoman said: 'It’s believed that several members of one family including the suspect are deceased.' Above, Emily (left) and Janzen (right) in Facebook photos
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Chilliwack School of Performing Arts posted a heartbreaking public message on its Facebook page about Emily, describing her as 'incomparable' former student with a 'bright smile, beautiful voice and amazing spirit
'Then a couple of days later my sister Shelly because I did not want her to have to live with this shame I have caused all alone. Now my family is pain free (sic) and in heaven.'
Janzen seemingly concludes the post with the words: 'I am taking full responsibility for my actions of these murders. So sorry to anyone I have hurt. Rest in peace my little family. Love Daddio.'
Shane Dwight had only kept up with his friend via social media in the last decade, but said he knew Janzen's daughter 'was everything to him'.
'She was going to become a famous opera singer,' Dwight said.
'But I guess that last year or two, the migraines and depression became so severe that he just couldn't take it anymore.'
On Friday morning, the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts posted a heartbreaking public message on its Facebook page about Emily, describing her as 'incomparable' former student.
It said: 'Today we celebrate the incomparable Emily Janzen. A former student and instructor, forever a part of our CSOPA family.'
'We will fondly remember her bright smile, beautiful voice and amazing spirit. She will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to all her family and friends.'
Last month, Emily, a talented singer, tweeted in apparent reference to her migraines: 'Whenever I start to feel sorry for myself, I just thank God I’m still alive.'
An investigation is ongoing.
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Relatives: Emily and her mother, Laurel, are both believed to have been shot dead by Janzen on Thursday
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Paying tribute: On Friday morning, the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts posted a heartbreaking public message (pictured) on its Facebook page about Emily, describing her as 'incomparable' former student
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
His family can't "live" with their issues, but seems he had no problem living. What a scumbag.
?? He didn't live either. This has taken place in a city neighbouring mine and the shock is still resonating. This nothing to do with health care, canadian utopia, gun control or any other sort of politicizing.
In a twisted way I understand him. No parent wants to see their kid suffer with no ending and knows if the kid dies before the mother, the mother will be forever in pain thinking about her child. He shot them putting themselves out of a life time of misery. His heart was in the right place, his mind was not.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I'll stop "politicizing" when they quit making crap like this in the U.S. political. Every time something like this happens in the U.S. there is some Canadian or European pundit on TV blathering on about "gun culture" and how this stuff just "never" happens in their little utopias.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
In a twisted way I understand him. No parent wants to see their kid suffer with no ending and knows if the kid dies before the mother, the mother will be forever in pain thinking about her child. He shot them putting themselves out of a life time of misery. His heart was in the right place, his mind was not.
Wow, just wow.
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“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” ― Julia Child ―
In a twisted way I understand him. No parent wants to see their kid suffer with no ending and knows if the kid dies before the mother, the mother will be forever in pain thinking about her child. He shot them putting themselves out of a life time of misery. His heart was in the right place, his mind was not.
In a twisted way I understand him. No parent wants to see their kid suffer with no ending and knows if the kid dies before the mother, the mother will be forever in pain thinking about her child. He shot them putting themselves out of a life time of misery. His heart was in the right place, his mind was not.
I'll say it: I agree with you, IKWTDS.
flan
Thanks. I certainly didn't mean I agree with the killings. I agree with his not wanting his daughter and wife to suffer. No one wants their loved ones to suffer.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
In a twisted way I understand him. No parent wants to see their kid suffer with no ending and knows if the kid dies before the mother, the mother will be forever in pain thinking about her child. He shot them putting themselves out of a life time of misery. His heart was in the right place, his mind was not.
I'll say it: I agree with you, IKWTDS.
flan
Thanks. I certainly didn't mean I agree with the killings. I agree with his not wanting his daughter and wife to suffer. No one wants their loved ones to suffer.
Honestly, you really believe that was his excuse and reason? Oh, and let's kill mom cuz that would crush her. Oh, and let's kill my sis too. Well, why not kill his parents and her parents because they will suffer and then let's kill the whole damn world because well, you know everyone suffers. Wow.
Funny, but to me it looks like his daughter had moments of joy in her life. And, for many people migraine headaches tend to get better over time, especially in adolescents and teens. My niece had terrible migraines as a teen. Well, she is now in her late 20's and that problem doesn't plague her anymore. Glad my BIL didn't choose that option. Unbelievable that any of you can find sympathy for what he did. Look at the vibrant life he snuffed out.
Unlike you, I really don't care what he "went through". I care much more about what his wife and daughter went through and losing their lives at the hands of someone who they loved and trusted.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
You seem to be all about choice. Shouldn't it be HER choice if her migraines made her life not worth living? Why does he get to decide that for his daughter, wife and sister?
You seem to be all about choice. Shouldn't it be HER choice if her migraines made her life not worth living? Why does he get to decide that for his daughter, wife and sister?
The monster killed his entire family. Everyone but himself.
If you don't see the evil in what he did, you are willfully turning a blind eye.
This man killed innocent people for no reason. That is evil.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Oh well good. Won't have to pay to keep his meat suit alive.
Doesn't change the fact that he killed his whole family for no reason.
He gave a reason. But that isn't why. He did it because he was evil.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I can't imagine what this man went through. But I DO believe that he loved his wife & daughter.
flan
I don't care what he went through. If his daughter didn't want to live - she could have made the choice to end her life. He did not have the right to make that decision for her. Or his wife, or his sister.
There is no excuse.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Because Flan is attempting to defend this monstor.
IKWTDS, is not.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I can sympathize with his hopelesness, but not his actions. He messed up, big time. I can only hope I am never in the situation where I believe death is the only way out. It must be dark and lonely place to be indeed.
I can sympathize with his hopelesness, but not his actions. He messed up, big time. I can only hope I am never in the situation where I believe death is the only way out. It must be dark and lonely place to be indeed.
And I'm going to agree with your statement too.
I am capable of feeling compassion for someone in his position. If that makes me "deviant," so be it.
I can sympathize with his hopelesness, but not his actions. He messed up, big time. I can only hope I am never in the situation where I believe death is the only way out. It must be dark and lonely place to be indeed.
Oh please. You sympathize with his hopelessness even though he killed his whole family, not just the daughter he loved sooooo much. No wonder criminals think they can get away with crap.
__________________
“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” ― Julia Child ―
I can sympathize with his hopelesness, but not his actions. He messed up, big time. I can only hope I am never in the situation where I believe death is the only way out. It must be dark and lonely place to be indeed.
And I'm going to agree with your statement too.
I am capable of feeling compassion for someone in his position. If that makes me "deviant," so be it.
flan
You said it.
__________________
“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” ― Julia Child ―