The father of slain Woodstock, Ont., girl Victoria Stafford said his family was prepared for the worst when they were told by police that they had located his daughter's remains. But he continues to struggle with the question of how something so horrible could happen to someone as innocent as his little girl.
Rodney Stafford told CTV's Canada AM on Wednesday that the news was "definitely something you don't want to hear" but that his family had feared the worst from the moment Victoria was kidnapped in April.
Police found the eight-year-old girl's body Sunday afternoon but didn't confirm the remains were those of Victoria until Tuesday.
Victoria, also known by her nickname "Tori", was last seen alive on April 8, walking away from her school with an unidentified woman. The child and the woman were captured on a security camera near her school.
Stafford said his son, 11-year-old Darren, is "not doing too bad" since finding out about his sister's murder.
He said Darren had been prepared from the moment police arrested two suspects in connection with the case back in June and charged them with first-degree murder.
Stafford said a public memorial, also held in June, gave Darren a chance to mourn his little sister.
"He's coming to grips with it a lot better than if he had just found that out," he said. "The memorial helped prepare him for the outcome."
At the memorial, Darren gave a speech about his sister, saying he understands that Victoria is gone, even though he waited day after day for her safe return. He broke down in tears after saying, "I love you Tori."
The Stafford family will never stop asking themselves why this happened to them, Victoria's father said Wednesday.
"I've been struggling with that since Victoria disappeared," he said. "I've never been able to understand that. Why someone so innocent? Why my baby?
"She was a beautiful little girl who was sweet and innocent," he said. "She was taken way too early."
Two suspects, 28-year-old Michael Rafferty and 18-year-old Terri-Lynne McLintic, have been charged with first degree murder and kidnapping. They are currently in police custody.
