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Gossip minimal out of respect for Kochar's kids

BY KEITH LACEY [email protected] The neighbours of a murder victim aren't talking much about the tragedy out of respect for the woman's family.

BY KEITH LACEY
[email protected]

The neighbours of a murder victim aren't talking much about the tragedy out of respect for the woman's family.

Ontario Provincial Police released a statement Tuesday afternoon that the death of Daphne Kochar is being considered a homicide. Last weekend her purse and other personal items were found in a bush area near Municipal Road 24 in Lively.

Kochar's body was found two days after Christmas off Trout Lake Rd. in Burwash Township near Estaire, many kilometres away from where the personal items were found. The woman had been reported missing by her family Nov. 6.

"There's no real sense of unease because no one really believes the killer was from this area because of where the body was found and the latest evidence turned up out in Lively," says one neighbour, who didn't want his name used. "No one I know believes there's any reason to be afraid."

The neighbour told Northern Life residents feel a great deal of loss for the woman's husband, Dr. Harinder Kochar, and his daughters, but there's no sense of fear permeating the prestigious neighbourhood, located off Ramsey Lake Rd.

One of the neighbour's daughter's is good friends with Kochar's three teenage girls.

"Out of respect for the children and the family, people don't go around talking about this every day," he said. "The children are the obvious victims here, other than Mrs. Kochar herself, and folks here are trying in their own little way to try to protect the children by not talking."

It's human nature for some people to talk about a tragedy so close to home, and there have been rumours going around, but he hasn't heard a lot of gossip or innuendo, he said.

"I think a lot of that has to do with the fact this is a pretty upscale neighbourhood and most of the people who live here are professionals," he said.

"It would be very disrespectful to the children for everyone to be spreading rumours or talking about the case all the time, so most people I know don't bring it up...it's not like people gather around the coffee table every morning for an update."

Neighbours are upset that it took police five months to determine it Kochar was murdered.

"I have my concerns about how the police have handled this, even though I know they have a tough job to do," he said. "When you find a body wrapped in a carpet in the middle of the bush on Trout Lake Rd., people know foul play is involved and the police should have been more forthcoming with information right from the beginning...to try and ease some fears for neighbours and the entire community."

While he didn't know Kochar well, his wife did.  She was a very popular and active member of the neighbourhood and numerous community organizations.

"Anytime someone is murdered, it's a tragedy and people are affected," he said.

"This is a great neighbourhood and everyone gets along very well so we're concerned for her children because they really are wonderful girls. Hopefully police will find out who is responsible in the near future."

After several days in the bush area off Municipal Road 24 north of Creighton Mine, investigators from Greater Sudbury Police and the OPP had left the area by Wednesday afternoon and the long line of yellow police tape had been torn down.

Investigators are remaining very tight-lipped about the investigation and refuse to comment on whether murder charges are pending against any suspect or suspects.

OPP Const. Louise Monette said police are not prepared to release any further information about the Kochar murder as it might compromise the investigation.


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