Horrific triple murder suicide shatters peaceful neighbourhood, music community
Emily Janzen's father killed her, her mother, her aunt, himself, left a note describing his terrible reasons why
(This story appeared in the May 14, 2015 edition of The Chilliwack Times following the triple murder and suicide that rocked the community and made national and international news. I remember vividly standing in the middle of Llanberris Way as an IHIT spokesperson held a news conference, the burned out shell of the family home in the background. I post this story now, 10 years later, because of a strange link to Emily, who was a successful young singer, to the story of criminal harassment trials of music teacher Bevin van Liempt this month. It's all disturbing stuff with more to come - PJH Feb. 6, 2025)
Five days after the TV media rolled into Chilliwack then quickly rolled out again, an impromptu memorial of flowers in a plastic bucket sat on the grass outside blue construction fencing surrounding the skeletal, charred remains of a house on Llanberris Way.
The Popkum home will be demolished much like the lives of the two women found inside were destroyed by an apparently desperate father who allegedly decided murder and suicide was a solution to chronic pain and depression.
A confession posted on Randy Janzen's Facebook page told of the murder of his daughter Emily to relieve her from debilitating migraines. The post, which no one has confirmed was written by Randy Janzen, said he then shot Emily's mother Laurel "because a mother should never have (to) hear the news her baby has died."
Then, a couple of days later, he killed his sister "because I did not want her to have to live with this shame I have caused all alone."
The confession concluded that he was "taking full responsibility for my actions of these murders.”
He signed it: "Love Daddio."
A tip led police to the Langley home of 53-year-old Shelly Janzen where her body was found. Further information from social media then led officers to the home on Llanberis Way where a standoff took place.
An armoured vehicle was seen in the driveway of the home, and neighbours said they heard what sounded like gunfire after which RCMP Emergency Response Team officers fired smoke bombs through two windows in the home.
Soon after a fire started, which gutted the home.
While a spokesperson for the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) would say little for four days to confirm or deny what was discussed online, tributes to the dead young woman from those who knew her in the Chilliwack music community flooded her Facebook page.
On Monday, IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Stephanie Ashton did confirm three badly burned bodies were located inside the home consistent with Randy Janzen's Facebook post.
The story has rocked the local arts community to its core, and has garnered national and even international attention because of the dramatic nature of the killings, the confession on Facebook, but also because of the issues of migraine management and mental health.
Ashton said the investigative priority at the moment is to hear from anyone who had been in contact with the Janzen family in the three weeks leading up to the May 7 incident.
Meanwhile, the BC Coroners Service has launched an investigation looking into what led to the deaths and the medical treatment the young woman received for her severe migraines.
"This will be a full investigation, looking into the history and any contributing factors or issues that may arise," said BC Coroners Service spokesperson Barbara McLintock.
"It will be concluded either by a coroners report, which will be made public, or by a public inquest. It is too soon to determine which until all fact-finding is completed,” she said, adding that the investigation won't be assigning blame or legal responsibility.
Members of the Janzen family complained on social media about how intractable Emily's headaches were and how no drug or other intervention had worked. The pain prevented her from going to UBC, from pursuing an opera career, and even from getting out of bed for days at a time.
– with files from Pamela Fayerman, Vancouver Sun
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Paul J. Henderson
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