Deceased/Not Found Canada - Alvin, 66, & Kathy Liknes, 53, Nathan O'Brien, 5, Calgary, 30 Jun 2014 - #18

[deugirtni]

Yes, I can't say I am surprised it was an American donor, because in my mind, I don't recall seeing that type of anonymous generosity the same way from Canadians in the past, however it does seem to occur with Americans.. perhaps because there are so many more of them? And i suppose this donation was not at all about anyone other than Nathan, and I suppose that may be why none of JO's siblings were mentioned. It is kind of strange though, now that you mention it, since this tragedy was about more than Nathan, even if the donation was only about Nathan.

I was surprised it is an American donor. I was also surprised that there was not a question about how her siblings were doing. I wonder if that will be another segment.

 

[Lalalacasbah]

Jennifer O'brien says: “I never even knew Doug Garland existed and I highly doubt my mom did, either,” she says. “Sometimes it hits you so hard, and you can’t even breathe. You think I can’t make it through, I can’t do this.”

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/c...d+light+private+struggles/10331959/story.html

I was utterly shocked to read that, so heartbreaking The story is so moving and they sound so brave.

 

[LoisLane]

Of all the back handed and veiled insults and such regarding sleuthing and speculation on our parts throughout some 18,000 posts on this topic. IF these threads were a game of contract bridge, never ever ever ever ever, ever ever ever, could one of us reduce and contract all arguments and speculation, let alone state with the utmost and sincerest conviction,



This statement trumps everything IMO.

It most certainly does. This is the first real informative comment we have had which has come straight from a victim. It is kind of a big deal! IMO

 

[deugirtni]

I thought I had read/seen somewhere that the first monies were to be paid out shortly, and that the amount was $40,000. I could be imagining things, you never know! Forty thousand definitely couldn't be from interest already earned. I thought to myself, at the time, that it was a donation of $250K per year for 4 years, to be used however the O's wished, and that it would make sense to just bank it, and then do something with the interest only, let the principal go up to its full million dollars, and keep that amount just sitting there, using the interest only to do whatever with.
So are you saying that others will look after the 'awards' outside of Canada? Will there be 'awards' in the US also?
This man is registering a corporation for the fund?

He wanted to remain anonymous, but he had to register the corporation with the Secretary of State ... so his name is available.

It was on the news that the principal will remain intact, and the interest will be used to improve the lives of children ... with the O'Briens looking after awards in Calgary (presumably Canada).

 

[Lalalacasbah]

Of all the back handed and veiled insults and such regarding sleuthing and speculation on our parts throughout some 18,000 posts on this topic. IF these threads were a game of contract bridge, never ever ever ever ever, ever ever ever, could one of us reduce and contract all arguments and speculation, let alone state with the utmost and sincerest conviction,



This statement trumps everything IMO.

I find JO's statement so sad for some reason. I mean, does what she said make things better or worse for them and the grieving of their son?

The fact that KL was mentioned as probably not knowing is interesting, as she refers to her mom only. Obviously AL knew who DG was, but wouldn't KL too if she knew ALJr and his kids? KL is technically step-grandma, weird that she didn't know DG existed.

This is a bold statement from JO, it seems to distance her and her mother from the events/situation. Maybe I'm reading it wrong though, JMO.

 

[Lalalacasbah]

The generosity of some people is just awesome.
The fact that JO didn't even know enough about DG to know that he even existed tells me that the deal with him was indeed a very old one, and for me, lends even more credence that this just couldn't have been a rage over that 7 year old patent issue. I get the impression overall that JO was very close with her mom, and women talk. I don't know about AL, but if he wasn't talking to his wife, then why wasn't he talking to his wife.

I agree, the statement is sure curious. To say 'I didn't know him' or 'never heard of him' is more commonplace, but to say she 'never *even* knew he *existed*' to me, sounds like a point being made.

I feel so awful for her and RO, can't imagine. So true what you said, the generosity of people out there is definitely amazing.

 

[deugirtni]

Tell us your thoughts. If he was such a non-entity in the L family, then was part of that L family hiding something from the rest, or do you feel the wrong tree is being barked up, or do you feel none of the L family were aware because DG did not express in all these years, that this pump thing was a huge issue?

Of all the back handed and veiled insults and such regarding sleuthing and speculation on our parts throughout some 18,000 posts on this topic. IF these threads were a game of contract bridge, never ever ever ever ever, ever ever ever, could one of us reduce and contract all arguments and speculation, let alone state with the utmost and sincerest conviction,



This statement trumps everything IMO.

 

[stan laurel]

I find JO's statement so sad for some reason. I mean, does what she said make things better or worse for them and the grieving of their son?

The fact that KL was mentioned as probably not knowing is interesting, as she refers to her mom only. Obviously AL knew who DG was, but wouldn't KL too if she knew ALJr and his kids? KL is technically step-grandma, weird that she didn't know DG existed.

This is a bold statement from JO, it seems to distance her and her mother from the events/situation. Maybe I'm reading it wrong though, JMO.

I am reading it the same way you are. honestly, I find the statement absolutely baffling.

 

[stan laurel]

Tell us your thoughts. If he was such a non-entity in the L family, then was part of that L family hiding something from the rest, or do you feel the wrong tree is being barked up, or do you feel none of the L family were aware because DG did not express in all these years, that this pump thing was a huge issue?

I just walked into an anvil. I mean I thought the family knew of him, as some knew about a petty argument and his lousy truck, I mean, families talk don't they? even the most banal small talk should have brought up DG, in passing, at a gathering or merely in the small talk of getting to know your step brothers new gf "... oh you live in Edmonton with my brother but you use to live in airdrie? brothers-sisters? what high school did you go to?" that sort of thing.

so who besides al'en was offering out all these morsels on dg if jo and likely her mother didn't know he existed?

 

[Power of Two]

Jennifer O'brien says: “I never even knew Doug Garland existed and I highly doubt my mom did, either,” she says. “Sometimes it hits you so hard, and you can’t even breathe. You think I can’t make it through, I can’t do this.”

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/c...d+light+private+struggles/10331959/story.html

So... DG is 'related' to JO first by a step-sibling (ALjr) and then further by marriage(to PG). I am trying to personalize this connection and make sense of it as if it was my family dynamic. If I was JO, that would mean that my step brother's brother-in-law was DG. If one was to transpose these relationships into their own lives, I find it totally credible that JO would not have any reason to know just who DG was. He would be far removed from my radar, unless there was a huge issue and the family was really chatty and knew everyone else's business. JMO

 

[Lalalacasbah]

If JO and KL did not know DG existed, and let's say DG's target was AL, why in the world didn't he go after AL when he was alone somewhere, sometime?

Why risk trying to murder two people instead of one? Again, more risky not knowing who was at the house (which turned out to be three persons sadly), but could have easily been 4-5 people also if CH and her husband happened to stay the night at the last minute.

Also, if KL and JO (and that means NO also) didn't know DG existed, they would not recognize him so they could have been spared, especially NO. Nathan would not have recognized or known DG, he would have been a stranger to him that night.

 

[Lalalacasbah]

So... DG is 'related' to JO first by a step-sibling (ALjr) and then further by marriage(to PG). I am trying to personalize this connection and make sense of it as if it was my family dynamic. If I was JO, that would mean that my step brother's brother-in-law was DG. If one was to transpose these relationships into their own lives, I find it totally credible that JO would not have any reason to know just who DG was. He would be far removed from my radar, unless there was a huge issue and the family was really chatty and knew everyone else's business. JMO

Very true, not all families know everyone's business, although I have read this whole family was close knit. Even though families aren't close, aren't most close knit families aware of the 'bad apples' of the family? Really hard to say.

Don't get me wrong I believe JO whole heartedly, I think her statement was more of a way of disassociating her and her mother from DG and anything business/ties he may have had.

Also, RO has been the one attending DG's court appearances, I guess this won't have any real emotional impact to DG, since RO is probably like a stranger to him. I wonder if PG has visited her brother to beg him for information and/or to tell all he knows to LE to help. So sad and terrible.

 

[LoisLane]

So... DG is 'related' to JO first by a step-sibling (ALjr) and then further by marriage(to PG). I am trying to personalize this connection and make sense of it as if it was my family dynamic. If I was JO, that would mean that my step brother's brother-in-law was DG. If one was to transpose these relationships into their own lives, I find it totally credible that JO would not have any reason to know just who DG was. He would be far removed from my radar, unless there was a huge issue and the family was really chatty and knew everyone else's business. JMO

Yes, I think some families work that way. But in various comments of how KL was the glue in the family, that AL was JO's step-father since she was six years old and her biological father was never in the picture and that AL has other children I would assume that the step kids were considered her siblings regardless of blood relation. The family was not distant from one another, we have seen photos' of JO and RO's wedding day and the family is accounted for except maybe CL.
Al jr. is the link for sure from DG and AL was very close with his father AL sr. If anything PG the sister of DG was the one who would communicate with the woman (KL, JO). I think that at the very least KL was quite aware of who DG was. I am surprised that JO does not know him.

Another thing... The Liknes family has various business dealings within the family and extended family including the alleged patents with DG. I assume that if they are business savvy they are very informed of the who's and the what's and have many discussions and name drops and due-diligence within the family dealings. I find it very strange that if DG was in any sort of "business dealings" with AL that KL would not be aware of that and that JO was not privy to that info/gossip/family matter.

 

[stan laurel]

Bless braces, they happen to the best of us lol

unless - like me - you had this misfortune of british dentistry. my guess is my teeth were perfect and then misaligned. I now buy dental floss spools of the size that dental floss manufacturers buy to spool the little ones normal toothed people buy. I once flossed-out a pork chop, a credit card I had reported as stolen, and, after some considerable sawing between the crags of my dental hell I flossed out the cozy hamlet of Pfeff in Lichtenstein, and I've never even been to lichtenstein.

 

[LoisLane]

unless - like me - you had this misfortune of british dentistry. my guess is my teeth were perfect and then misaligned. I now buy dental floss spools of the size that dental floss manufacturers buy to spool the little ones normal toothed people buy. I once flossed-out a pork chop, a credit card I had reported as stolen, and, after some considerable sawing between the crags of my dental hell I flossed out the cozy hamlet of Pfeff in Lichtenstein, and I've never even been to lichtenstein.

Have you considered a waterpik as well? They are awesome!

 

[stan laurel]

Have you considered a waterpik?

My God Woman!!!! running thru sprinklers would drench me less.

 

[otto]

I thought I had read/seen somewhere that the first monies were to be paid out shortly, and that the amount was $40,000. I could be imagining things, you never know! Forty thousand definitely couldn't be from interest already earned. I thought to myself, at the time, that it was a donation of $250K per year for 4 years, to be used however the O's wished, and that it would make sense to just bank it, and then do something with the interest only, let the principal go up to its full million dollars, and keep that amount just sitting there, using the interest only to do whatever with.
So are you saying that others will look after the 'awards' outside of Canada? Will there be 'awards' in the US also?
This man is registering a corporation for the fund?

This is what I know about the fund:

• the fund was registered as a corporation with the Secretary of State
• the principal will remain intact
• the interest will be used for children in need
• the O'Briens make decisions about how the interest will be distributed on behalf of Nathan (or in his name)
• the O'Briens don't need any more donations
• money is available now for the first donations

 

[otto]

I find JO's statement so sad for some reason. I mean, does what she said make things better or worse for them and the grieving of their son?

The fact that KL was mentioned as probably not knowing is interesting, as she refers to her mom only. Obviously AL knew who DG was, but wouldn't KL too if she knew ALJr and his kids? KL is technically step-grandma, weird that she didn't know DG existed.

This is a bold statement from JO, it seems to distance her and her mother from the events/situation. Maybe I'm reading it wrong though, JMO.

The money is only on behalf of Nathan, not his grandparents, so there's no real connection to Alvin's children from another marriage ... no reason to mention them.
I wondered if she was pregnant, as her face looked full and healthy - not like it was four months ago at the time of the murders.

I think it's only natural that Jen would want to distance herself and her family from the accused murderer - which in this case may also mean distancing herself from her step brother. I don't think she can speak for what her mother knew about Garland.

 

[otto]

Tell us your thoughts. If he was such a non-entity in the L family, then was part of that L family hiding something from the rest, or do you feel the wrong tree is being barked up, or do you feel none of the L family were aware because DG did not express in all these years, that this pump thing was a huge issue?

I seem to recall that the Liknes couple had dinner with the Garlands at some point ... so that would suggest that Alvin and Kathryn both knew about Garland. Wasn't there some story about how Garland was antisocial during the dinner?

 

[otto]

So... DG is 'related' to JO first by a step-sibling (ALjr) and then further by marriage(to PG). I am trying to personalize this connection and make sense of it as if it was my family dynamic. If I was JO, that would mean that my step brother's brother-in-law was DG. If one was to transpose these relationships into their own lives, I find it totally credible that JO would not have any reason to know just who DG was. He would be far removed from my radar, unless there was a huge issue and the family was really chatty and knew everyone else's business. JMO

It's quite possible that Jen did not know her step brother's in-law family, but I think that Kathryn knew the family as I'm pretty sure we heard about a dinner that Allen and his parents attended at the home of his wife's parents - where Douglas lived. Comments were made about he acted/interacted during the dinner. If I had to guess, it was a Thanksgiving dinner.