Wind Point Man Withdraws His Complaint Against Family With Memorial

09/26/2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by:

Credit : Denise Lockwood

John McNulty who filed a complaint against the Kwiatkowski family for the memorial for their son, has withdrawn his complaint.

Jonathan Kwiatkowski’s family planted a memorial garden in his name, but a neighbor has complained to the Village that it’s a nuisance. The neighbor says the memorial reminds him of his and his roommate’s own personal tragedy. One month after Jonathan Kwiatkowski was fatally stabbed at his family’s home in April 2011, they planted a memorial garden in the front yard as a Mother’s Day present for Lori Kwiatkowski.

Jonathan’s brothers, Kyle and Corey, and his sister-in-law Cassie, planted the garden around a tree in the front yard. There are flowers, lawn ornaments and a small cross, as well as Jonathan’s name on the tree. But the garden, which for the Kwiatkowski family is a comforting remembrance of a loved one, means something very different to a neighbor, who has filed a complaint calling the garden a public nuisance and asking for its removal.

John McNulty and his roommate Carolyn Zirbes live across the street from where Kwiatkowski was stabbed by another neighbor, and where the memorial garden now stands. McNulty says the memorial has rekindled memories of another tragedy for them, and one they very much did not want to remember.

Carolyn’s daughter, Sara Zirbes, was sexually assaulted and murdered in 1986 when she was 30-years-old. Sara lived in her home in Portland Oregon, which was burned down just after the murder and Leon Lamont Phillips was convicted in 2006. And that’s the reason why McNulty says he filed a complaint against the Kwiatkowski family for having their memorial garden.

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5 Responses to Wind Point Man Withdraws His Complaint Against Family With Memorial

  1. I stand behind the Kwiatkowski family 100%. My sister was killed in 2005 and if this gives them peace, enables them to heal as best as possible and have a good memory of this young man. SO BE IT. Neighbors don’t like it… DONT LOOK AT IT. I see nothing at all that would label this a nuisance.

    racineuncovered
    09/24/2012 at 5:33 pm

  2. I understand that these were both horrific crimes, but I am failing to see how one relates to the other. This crime took place in this family’s front yard and the other party had a daughter that was raped 1500 miles away in Oregon? It’s not like it even happened at the same location or any other type of semblance! Come on, Mr. McNulty, there’s no need to try and get a piece of the spotlight now, over a year later.

    leftfieldpitcher
    09/24/2012 at 6:18 pm

  3. I am so sorry for both families’ losses. My heart goes out to all of you. A violent death is sad everytime.

    My son was a friend of Jon and Kyle when they were younger. Jon and Kyle were at my house many times with their skateboards. It grieves me to know his mother and father have lost their son and had to watch it all take place. What a horrible event that must have been.

    I respect that Ms. Zirbes and Mr. McNulty are reminded of her own child’s death by looking at the garden, but do they really believe they can forget their ordeal by not having this garden present? Don’t they grieve Sara each passing year on the anniversary of her death? They must have pictures of her in their home to remind them of her, perhaps some trinket of hers left behind. Mr. McNulty and Ms. Zirbes try to remember how you felt the day you were told the horrific news. The shock and disbelief you felt, the anger that accompanied the realization and the longing to talk, see or touch Sara again when it finally hit that she was gone. Jon’s family has and is experiencing all of these things as you did and do and they also live next door to the one who took their son’s life. Don’t let this garden become a fence between you and this family. Go to them, let them know you understand how they feel, sit by the garden with them and remember both children with fond memories and make peace amongst you.

    I will remember both families in my prayers. I will ask God to give all of you peace and comfort.

    A mother of three,

    Carol Harris (Vetter)

    whitedove
    09/24/2012 at 10:43 pm

  4. How is one related to the other? The neighbors now have their names in the papers, that’s how they’re related. From my personal experience it is wonderful to have kind, supportive neighbors like these. Sarcasm off now -

    Harold
    09/25/2012 at 7:39 am

  5. The Kwiatkowski family setup a memorial fund in Jonathan’s name. The Jonathan Kwiatkowski memorial fund is offering university scholarships to individuals who want to make a difference in their communities, as Jonathan did. Applications are being accepted until October 31, 2012. See jkmemorialfund.org for more information.

    LKwiatkowski
    09/26/2012 at 9:42 pm

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