Canon City students get support after two students murdered

Three people were found murdered in Canon City and it’s leaving many students in the community hurt and confused.

On Tuesday many were getting help after two of their classmates didn’t show up for school.

Nine-year-old Marissa, her brother five-year-old Mason and their mother 35-year-old Mandy Folsom were killed in their home Sunday night.

“That’s what the little girls are thinking; she was here… now she can’t come to my party. She can’t have a sleep over. It’s very difficult,” said Kerri Kingery, a school counselor in Canon City.

It’s something nine-year olds’ shouldn’t have to hear. Their classmate isn’t coming back to school.

“I don’t think your every fully prepared for this. It’s a tough situation. As professionals we’re trained for crises intervention, but truly I don’t think you’re every really prepared for it,” said Kingery.

Inside Marissa’s school many are feeling confused and uneasy.

“We were hoping that some of the anxiety some of the stress was going to alleviate,” said Kingery.
But that isn’t the case.

“I think what we’re seeing is maybe more students being traumatized, or they’re processing it. Waking up again with Marissa not at school,” said Kingery.

Meanwhile, young students at Washington Elementary arebegining the healing process with their counselors.

“We were working with a group of about six little girls who were classmates of Marissa’s. One of the little girls, her thought process was, ‘she can’t come to my birthday party now.’ It was heartbreaking for us,” said Kingery.

31-year-old Jaacob Vanwinkle is accused of killing the family.

Canon City police say he was a friend of the mother and was staying at their home.