You have just been notified of the murder of your loved one.

You were totally shocked; nothing prepared you for the knock on the door and the sight of uniformed officers advising you that your loved one had been murdered. The police officers tried to be compassionate and sensitive in telling you what had happened. They realized that you were experiencing shock and trauma. 

You may have been very angry at the person who notified you of the murder. 

The police officers may have asked you if you had friends or family members who could come and be with you so that you were not alone. They may have offered to call them for you. They may also have notified other primary relatives of the person who had been murdered.

The police probably didn’t interview you at any length at the time of notification unless it was essential and imperative to the investigation.

Suggestions

Get the name of the investigating officer, his or her badge number and the incident number. This information is important if you want to make inquiries about the case or if you apply to receive information at a later time. Most major centres have police victim service units or RCMP victim services. Phone them if you have questions and concerns.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada. (2011). Getting through the maze: A guidebook for survivors of homicide.