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After the fire in the Petit home was under control, Jennifer Hawke-Petit was found deceased on the first floor. Recent high school grad Hayley Petit, who was to attend Dartmouth in the fall, was found at the head of the stairs. Michaela Petit was bound to her bed, and according to the Hartford Courant, the child’s body was so badly burned in the fire that engulfed the home that police are not sure how she died….
The tragedy is too much to grasp for the Cheshire community, based on reports in the local and national media. This is perhaps compounded by the fact that both Dr. Petit and his wife were healers. Jennifer Hawke-Petit was a nurse and one of two directors of health at a private boarding school. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis almost a decade ago, Hawke-Petit became active in the Connecticut State chapter of the MS Society and her daughters had joined in, raising money in Hayley’s name over the last 8 years to the tune of more than $50,000. Michaela Petit was planning on following in her sister’s footsteps.
I prayed for the whole community of Cheshire this week as they seek to regain their footing in the aftermath of this horrific crime. Read it all–KSH.
Alert blog readers may be aware of the Episcopal Church connection to this story. For example, John Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, served as chaplain to Miss Porters School from 1969-1972.
they’re not being held without bail? outrageous!
Will pray for this family.
This is a stark reminder that Satan is live and well on planet Earth.
While not friends, my kids were acquainted with Michaela from school. Big impact, lots of opportunity for discussions of God and evil, and where our true security and safety lie.
FYI, the med examiner has determined that the girls died of smoke inhalation. The police won’t release any more details of the crime, so as not to hurt the investigation.
Jennifer Hawke-Pettit was the daughter of my Methodist pastor during my teen years. What an enormous blow this must be to him and his wife in their retirement. May God sustain them in their trials.
The is a horrible and heartbreaking story.
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