The Final Update

Friends,

This will be the final update on the McPeak's Kids blog. Thank you for all of your support. Everything helped, from kind words to your generous donations of time, money, and clothing.

The two people responsible for Matthew's death have been sentenced. Both Danielle McPeak and Don Walker III received 40 years in jail after being convicted of first degree murder.

Here are the relevant news articles:
Don Walker: http://articles.wdbj7.com/2012-10-09/christiansburg-home_32527720
Danielle McPeak: http://articles.wdbj7.com/2012-05-25/christiansburg-home_31854945

The children are safe, happy, and in good hands. And while Eion and Abby may never fully escape the shadow of their father's death or the reality that their mother is responsible, I have no doubt that they will grow and prosper.


The support of this community helped my family in our time in need, and none of us will ever forget. You prevented financial ruin during a time of great sadness, but more importantly, you taught us hope. The kindness of strangers--strangers that we may never meet in person--showed us that for every act of evil, there are hundreds of others willing to do good.

Thanks again, my friends. You are the heroes of this story.

Best Regards,
Eric Riddle & the McPeaks

Danielle's Sentencing

Danielle's sentencing for the murder of her husband, Matthew McPeak, will be on Friday, May 25th at 8:00am in the Christiansburg Courthouse in Christiansburg, VA, on the fourth floor.

This is an open hearing and anyone can attend.

If you'd like to see the final outcome of this case, you are welcome to join us.

Danielle faces a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

Blood Drive and Sentencing Information

There's less than 10 appointments left for the next Matt McPeak Memorial Blood Drive. Call Regina at 540-392-4569 to make your appointment now.

Danielle's sentencing will be on Monday, March 12th, at 1:00pm at the Christiansburg courthouse. Be there by 12:30. It's an open court, so show up and give your support!

Matt McPeak Memorial Blood Drive on March 10th

There will be another blood drive in Matt's honor on Saturday, March 10th, from 7:30am to 1:30pm. It will be at the Kent Square Red Cross in Blacksburg, VA.

The Red Cross will pay for your parking in the nearby parking garage.

Call Regina at 540 392 4569 to schedule an appointment.

Come out and show your support for Matt and do some good in the process.

And don't forget, the Danielle's sentencing is just two days later, on Monday, March 12th, in Christiansburg. We need to pack the courtroom and let the judge know exactly how much we miss Matt.

A Conviction

It's been awhile.

A sad facet of our legal system is that it simply takes forever for anything to be done, and that has been the case for our kids.

There is, however, good news. Danielle McPeak gave a plea of "No Contest" on December 19th, 2011; a date just two days shy of a year from when Matt was murdered. Danielle has been convicted of First Degree Murder and will be sentenced on March 12th. First Degree Murder carries a sentence of 20 to life.

You can read the story here: http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/302577

Blood Drive in Matt's Honor

At the Blacksburg Red Cross, in the building across from Backstreet's. The event is on Saturday, 02/19 from 9-3. *See update for new time/date*

Schedule an appointment by calling 961-2302 (Tuesday and Thursday) or Toll-Free Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1-866-353-1030 option 3.

UPDATE: TIME AND DATE CHANGE
The Blood Drive is now Saturday, 2/26/11, from 7:30am-1:30pm. Same location. Same phone numbers to schedule an appointment.

A Thank You From the Kids' Grandmother

Last night, the kids' grandmother posted this heartfelt comment under one of our posts. I felt I should share.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with our situation. We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity we have received from everyone. We truly appreciate everything.

We do not have access to our grandchildren's belongings from their mother's house, and probably won't. However, because of donations we now have clothes in the right size (including snow boots), sheets for their beds, and most funeral expenses. We will be building two rooms on the house for them each to have a room.

The children are doing pretty good. They do not know anything other than their parents are far away and they are living with us. We are all seeing a counselor today.

The mother is still in jail and I am positive she will remain so for a long time.

Currently Matt's dad and I have custody. We have a final court date in March and I am sure we will retain custody.

Again, thank you everyone for your support, no matter what form it has been, ie, financial, clothing, prayers, crying shoulders, etc. We thank each one of you from our entire hearts.