Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A pastor cited "evilness" in the world as nearly 200 people gathered Tuesday for the funeral of two young siblings who authorities say were killed by their mother and found dead in a home filled with natural gas.
The service for 7-year-old Daaron Moore and his 6-year-old sister, Aleisha Moore, was held at Varick Memorial AME Zion Church in New Haven. Pallbearers wearing blue and pink boutonnieres in honor of the children later carried the two caskets down the church's steep front staircase on the way to burial in a cemetery in Easton.
"These things just happen because there's evilness in our world," the Rev. Eldren Morrison said after the service, according to the New Haven Register. "There's really nothing you can say to bring a loved one back. People just need an ear then, a shoulder to cry on, a person to sit there with them."
Daaron and Aleisha's bodies were found in their East Haven home on June 2. How they died is still being determined.
Their mother, LeRoya Moore, is detained on murder charges and wasn't allowed to attend the funeral. Police said she was found at the home with arm injuries resembling suicide-attempt wounds.
According to court documents, Moore wrote in a note found near her children's bodies that she was sending them to heaven. The note also said Daaron and Aleisha had ice cream and ate their favorite things before they died.
"I'm sure there's an expert somewhere that will say the children suffered, but I let them know they were very much loved and they were going to heaven," the letter said.
Moore's ex-husband, Michael Moore of Bridgeport, attended the service and was hugged by family and friends outside the church.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
