As a family reels and the community rallies to support it after the death of a Springfield mother, the city’s mayor, on behalf of the Croteau family, asks for privacy.
“There are no words to express what the Croteau family must be going through,” Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a press release Friday. “Our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, sympathy and words of encouragement go out to the family, especially to the children.”
Sarno asked that people respect the family’s privacy. “Although they appreciate the outreach and support, they need time to heal,” he said.
Stephanie Croteau was killed in a car crash early Friday morning, according to police. Croteau’s mom and 10-year-old daughter were shot dead and killed in a murder-suicide over the summer.
The fatal, single-car crash happened around 12:10 a.m. on Oct. 6, Springfield Police said. Croteau was the only occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene in the area of Parker and Cooley streets, police reported.
Sarno said the city, including Francena Brown, executive director of Families Against Violence, is working with Croteau’s family.
“This is a difficult time for them,” Brown said in the press release. “Although they appreciate everyone’s overwhelming outreach and support, right now the family needs time to heal.”
Croteau had recently lost her daughter, Aubrianna, 10, and her mother, Kim Fairbanks, 52, to a murder-suicide shooting at 174 Berkshire Ave. on Aug. 14. The woman’s 12-year-old daughter was also shot but survived, and her 5-year-old son was not injured. The family’s dog was also killed.
Crouteau had been devastated over her child and mother’s deaths, often posting about her grief to her personal Facebook page.
On Oct. 4, she wrote, “I have just started to go through the thousands of messages of the outpouring of love and support from everyone in the community and elsewhere. I appreciate every single one of you for reaching out.”
“Everyday is hard. It doesn’t seem to be better, but I’m surviving. So thank you,” Croteau said.
Her final Facebook post was an image of her visiting Aubrianna’s grave, sitting on a blanket on the ground with her other two children, captioned, “Cuddles with Aubrie.”
Stephanie Croteau and her family
A comedy club in Chicopee that was already planning a fundraising comedy night at the Chicopee Portuguese American Club to help Croteau and her children says the event will go on.
The club, located at 147 Exchange St. in Chicopee, announced its fundraiser planned for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, will still go on as planned, with the money raised to help Chris, the surviving children’s father.
Tickets to the event are $25, and the evening will include raffles, a 50/50 drawing and cash bar. Comedians Darren Rivera and Linda Belt will be featured, and it will be hosted by Jess Miller. The event is for those 21 and older.
More information on the event can be found at the link here.
