A tree at Willows Beach bears two names that harken back to a sombre Dec. 30, 2017 event.
That night, hundreds filled the park to remember and honour sisters Chloe, 4, and Aubrey Berry, 6, who were murdered by their father on Christmas Day.
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Chloe was in Grade 1 at Christ Church Cathedral School and had recently fallen in love with horseback riding.
Aubrey was in her final year of preschool at St. Christopher’s Montessori School and just making that transition from toddler to little girl.
Both girls were artistic and loved to draw but were also balls of energy who enjoyed spending time at Willows Beach.
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The gesture of their names affixed to a tree at the beach reflects the community response in the wake of the brutal act – with a focus on togetherness, healing and love as residents responded by offering support in a variety of ways. Churches opened doors to mourners, residents organized food for traumatized first responders and the district hosted the gathering at Willows Beach where the girls often played.
On Dec. 25, 2017 the girls were found dead in their beds at their father’s Oak Bay home after their mother called police when her daughters did not return.
In September 2019, Andrew Berry was convicted of killing his daughters on Christmas Day in 2017. His subsequent appeal was dismissed in November 2022.
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