Family mourns Greenwood Park gas-poisoning victims
Close family members share what the couple, who died in their homes due to carbon monoxide poisoning, meant to them and how in love they were with each other.
FAMILY members of Kyle (32) and Taylene (28) Richards, the couple who were discovered dead in their Greenwood Park home, described them as fun-loving, happy and so in love.
Their friend, Moosa, and pet dog were also with them in the house. The three died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator that was in use due to a prolonged power outage in the area.
Related story: Three people and one pet die from carbon monoxide poisoning in Greenwood Park
Speaking to Northglen News, Noleen Jones said her son, Kyle, was a wonderful son, husband and father.
“Kyle always put his family first. His children were his everything. He and Taylene were so in love. Everywhere they went, they would capture the moments and post photographs. Their home was filled with love,” she said.
Jones said the news had come to the family as a shock, but support from family, friends and the community, as well as prayer, was keeping her strong.
She said the couple’s children, Kaylan (8) and Tamar (5) had gone to spend the weekend with Taylene’s mom, Linda Larsing, due to the power outage. Moosa often stayed over with Kyle and Taylene when they worked on a Saturday.
“Taylene had left the children with her mom because she could not prepare meals and take care of the children properly without electricity. Linda called me on Monday and said she found it very strange that Taylene had not contacted her over the weekend and that she could not reach them. It was unlike them, and she was worried,” said Jones.
Jones said that Larsing had gone to the house, but the property was locked, and nobody came outside after she called out.
“I then contacted Kyle’s employer who confirmed that he had not shown up to work on Saturday but did not think anything was wrong as Kyle didn’t always come to work on a Saturday. He also said Kyle had not come to work that morning, so I asked him to go to the house to see if he could find out anything. That’s when Marshall Security was called out,” she added.
Larsing said Taylene was the best daughter any mother could ask for. They both shared a close relationship, so much so that Taylene would call her at least three times a day.
“Taylene was such a pleasant person. She was such a happy, loving and giving child. She would call every night to tell me that she loved me. She and Kyle were very much in love. He didn’t treat us like his in-laws. We were his ma and dad,” she said.
Larsing said the news of their deaths hit them like a ton of bricks. “It was so unexpected and devastating,” she said.
The family is yet to finalise funeral arrangements.
Attempts to contact a family member of Moosa were made but were unsuccessful.
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