Maple Ridge father’s truck looted as he mourns daughter’s death

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) – As Peter Short heard his daughter Kira’s voice for the last time Monday night at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, someone was rifling through his truck, stealing the last pictures she ever drew.

The six-year-old passed away following a two-year battle with a tumour in her neck, and now the family is left with fewer mementos of the little girl they lovingly called Schmoo.

“I had little stones with words of encouragement that were given to Kira from Children’s Hospice. I had her artwork that she had drawn at her last blood work at BC Children’s Hospital that I hadn’t taken out of the car yet,” Short said. “All these last little thing that we had where she was physically able to live her life.”

Kira’s family is asking for the return of the stolen pictures

The thieves, who got into the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee parked right outside the hospice without breaking any of the windows, also made off with sunglasses, clothes, around $80 in loose change, an electric boat motor, charger and a battery.

“The boat motor, the charger, any of the bigger monetary items in my truck mean nothing to me,” Short said. “The sentimental things, the things that Kira did in her last days on this earth are what mean the most to me and my family. If you’re (reading) this, please return it. These are things we are never going to get back.”

Those responsible can bring the items back to the hospice, no questions asked, Short said.

Kira was diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma, between her C1 and C2 vertebrae in 2015 and had undergone intense chemotherapy and radiation. When her condition worsened on Friday, doctors estimated she may only have a few months left. Three days later, she passed away in her sleep surrounded by loved ones.

The family has planned a candle-lit vigil for Friday August 25th at 8 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge. Kira will be laid to rest the following day.

A fundraiser Ride for Kira, which was planned before death, will still go ahead on September 17th at 10 a.m. with proceeds going to help the family cover funeral and other costs. Anything left over will go to another family dealing with childhood cancer, Short said.

The family hopes to make the ride an annual event.

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