Nancy Cooper's father, Garry Rentz, said his former son-in-law's admission has brought some closure to the family and allows them to now move on with their lives.
"When we started this process years ago, I said I wished the person responsible for this crime would come forward and acknowledge guilt and own up to their behavior," he said. "That's happened today."
The plea – in which Brad Cooper relinquished his parental rights – also makes way for Nancy Cooper's twin sister in Canada to adopt the Coopers' two daughters – now ages 8 and 10.
"It's amazing. It's total relief. He doesn't deserve them," said Krista Lister, who has had custody of the girls since their mother's death. "He doesn't deserve to know them, and I'm very happy about it."
Accepting what happened to their mother has been difficult for the children, Lister said, with the oldest taking it especially hard.
"They're doing good (now). They know what happened with Nancy – Bella especially. That destroyed her for many years," Lister said. "She's gotten over it."
Gessner, who presided over the high-profile trial in 2011, had harsh words for Brad Cooper.
"It just bothers me that you have an individual who will, apparently, bargain away their rights as a parent," Gessner said. "I find that repulsive."
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