“It has been a grueling and painful year for me since Mark killed Lori and their unborn child last July, and there are days when I still can’t believe it’s true. Everything about this bizarre tragedy has devastated me; I loved that young man as if he were my own son, so his betrayal is profound. The dark cloud that hangs over my head never dissipates because the consequences of Mark’s decision to kill his wife and baby are fixed and permanent. Although he had the power to terminate two lives, it is beyond his power to restore them. Justice demands that his life remain as irrevocably altered as Lori’s, his child’s and mine are.

I’m relieved that Mark finally entered a guilty plea and that all court proceedings are now complete. I do not wish for bad things to happen to him. I hope he uses his life in prison to accomplish something redemptive for himself and all the good he can for others; he certainly ought to finish college if he is able to.

Regardless of how exemplary a prisoner he may be or become, however, it doesn’t alter the chilling fact that he killed my daughter and grandchild and then threw them in the trash with the intent that they never be found and that I never know what happened to them. Those acts constitute the very epitome of depraved indifference.

Again, I thank the media and people everywhere for their love, their support, their prayers offered in my behalf, and their generosity to Lori’s scholarship fund; and I especially extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped in the search for Lori.”

Thelma Soares

“The Hackings have encouraged Mark to do what is right from the very beginning by accepting responsibility and accountability for his acts. While it won’t bring Lori and the baby back to me, I'm happy to learn he has done that, thereby avoiding a painful trial for all of us, but especially for his family.”

Thelma Soares

Many people were aware of Lori’s cat Herbie, and have inquired about what happened to him at the time of Lori’s death. So here’s his story.

Lori always loved yellow cats,
and Mark gave Herbie to her for her birthday soon after their marriage. As his photos show, Herbie is a big, beautiful Maine Coon cat with emerald green eyes who captured Lori’s heart. They trained him well, and he never jumped onto their furniture but loved playing hide and seek—especially with Mark. Herbie didn’t tolerate children, and would hide under the bed whenever a child entered their apartment. He was definitely their “spoiled baby”, and they both loved him. I had agreed to take care of Herbie for a few days prior to Lori’s flying with him to North Carolina. In fact, Lori’s final e-mail message to me concerned her bringing Herbie down to my home on Wednesday evening, July 21, after work.

David and Debra Gehris and I stopped by Lori’s apartment the evening she disappeared (July 19) because we were concerned that Herbie might need food and water. A police officer was stationed at the door, and we were not allowed to enter the apartment; but he promised he would leave food and water when his shift ended and would ask the officer replacing him to do the same. We thanked him and left. None of them had seen Herbie that day as they searched the apartment, but the next day they reported that the food was gone, so we knew Herbie was there somewhere.

Within a few days the police finished with the apartment, and all the boxes and furniture were moved into storage. Still no one had seen Herbie. Debra Gehris and Mark’s brother, Scott, returned to search in all the cupboards and drawers for Herbie, but he was not to be found. Finally, they went into a closet and found a dark hole in the far corner leading into the sub-flooring with tell-tale fur around it. They called and coaxed, but Herbie would not come out, so Debra went to the local animal shelter where they gave her a special trap cage to try. She put Herbie’s food in it and left it near the hole that night. The next morning, Herbie was in the cage! How happy and relieved we all were!

I have a cat (Lori named her Izzy) who for years has also been an “only child” in my home, and being away almost all the time during the search for Lori, I was afraid to leave Herbie with Izzy for fear they would hurt each other. The Gehrises had just lost their long-time cat whom they loved and cared for many years, so they agreed to take Herbie into their home.

Because he had been so traumatized by the sounds and smells of Lori’s death and the invasion of his space by the police immediately following and then by the movers, he literally howled for five nights. The Gehrises, however (sleep-deprived as they were), continued to work with him each day, loving him and doing all they could to help him adjust to his new life and surroundings. Gradually he stopped howling and began to respond.

Due to their constant love and attention, today Herbie reigns supreme in the Gehris household, well-adjusted, well-fed, and content with all his toys and window seats.
I can visit him whenever I wish, and I like to think that Lori is looking after their Zydra (Dutch name) in heaven.

Lori is home. Your prayers are answered.
THANK YOU.
The Soares Family

The beautiful song "Walk in the World for Me" composed by Deanna Edwards was played at Lori's grave side service October 9, 2004. The memorial card, which has the lyrics of the song as well as Lori's signature, was distributed at the service.

View the Memorial Card

Lori's remains were found this morning and both families are extremely grateful for all the volunteers and their incredible efforts. The following statements were release today by the respective families.


The Soares Family

"We can not possibly express in words our gratitude to the many people, state and county agencies, private businesses, and all others who have been involved in the search for Lori at the landfill.

“We particularly thank the dedicated police officers from the entire county along with the volunteers and dogs who have searched since July 20.

“It means everything to us to find Lori's mortal remains so that we might lay them to rest with the dignity befitting the valiant daughter of God she was. We know her body will rise whole, perfect, and beautiful again in the resurrection.

“Our heartfelt thanks to those around the world who have been praying with us that her body would be found, and we're especially grateful to Captain Winkler and the men who have searched so long and so hard under such difficult and unpleasant circumstances to bring closure to our nightmare."

--Thelma Soares & Eraldo Soares


The Hacking Family

"The entire Hacking family would like to express deepest appreciation for the time and effort that has been spent in searching for Lori's remains. The love and support of friends, neighbors and the community continues to give us strength. We hope today's discovery will begin to bring closure to both our family and the Soares families in this tragic event."

--Douglas Hacking

A poem written by Lori's friends has been added to the Lori section of the website.
Click here to read the poem.

Yesterday Oprah Winfrey announced the donation of $50,000 dollars to the Lori Kay Soares Hacking Memorial Scholarship Fund. Thelma expressed her deep gratitude and thanked Oprah for her great generosity. This will guarantee that the scholarship will continue in perpetuity.

To make a donation to the Memorial Scholarship Fund you can call
801-581-5255

We are indeed grateful for all of your support.