Heather Lesniak doesn’t know the family impacted by a double murder-suicide in Brampton this month, but it hits very close to home.

She lives on Jennifer Sq., close to Josephine Ct., where a mother and her 13-year-old son were stabbed to death on Aug. 16. The father, who police suspect killed his wife and son, was found dead by suicide a short time later in a vehicle near Highway 410 and Williams Pkwy.

Shocked and saddened by the news, Lesniak set up one of several Go Fund Me accounts to assist the three girls left orphaned by the tragedy.

“They live in my community, that was my No. 1 (motivation),” she said. “I have teenage/adult children of my own. I don’t know what the circumstances were behind their closed doors. I feel blessed that my children and I are fine, but sad that their family is destroyed now.”

Lesniak has lived in the area since 2010 and says it’s normally pretty quiet. As of Monday, her account has raised more than $6,000.

She’s hoping to raise $25,000 to help alleviate the burden of arranging a funeral and paying the mortgage on the home.

From what she’s heard, the children, all believed to be teenagers, are living with other family members.

Peel Region police said the mother was found dead at the scene while the boy was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The victims are the 13th and 14th homicide victims of the year in Peel Region. Police have not released the names of the deceased.

“This is a very tragic incident, the circumstances surrounding it, there were obviously family members who are still having to deal with all of this which is obviously why we have not and are not releasing the names of the individuals involved,” Peel police Const. Danny Marttini told reporters at the time.

According to property records, the home where the stabbing occurred is owned by Roberto and Maria Lisa Gorospe, who purchased it in 2002.

Three neighbours at the scene told the Star the woman who lives at the home goes by Lisa, and that she is a realtor. Those neighbours identified the couple in a photo posted to Lisa Gorospe’s Instagram account, in which they appear to be on vacation in California.

Several neighbours said they had four children, three daughters, all older than 15, and a son, Christian, around 13.

The homicide and missing person’s bureau are still investigating the matter. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-453-2121, ext. 3205 or leave an anonymous tip with Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

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With files from Gilbert Ngabo

Iain Colpitts is a reporter for Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach him via email: icolpitts@mississauga.net

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