On Thursday, members of the Light family went down to the river and paid their respects. (Submitted photo/ David Light)

By Nigel Maxwell

Saying goodbye

‘We will always have questions that we may never get answered’: P.A. family mourns loss

Apr 30, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Two days have passed since police confirmed the body found on the shore of the North Saskatchewan River Monday morning was Donald Light, and the young man’s family members have come together to grieve.

David Light, Donald’s fraternal twin brother, flew back from his home in Nova Scotia to Prince Albert, to be with his mother. David revealed to paNOW the discovery of his brother’s body has helped provide some closure since his disappearance.

“We will always have questions that we may never get answered. Now at least we know he is at peace and we can move ahead from there,” he said.

Donald had been missing since November 19, when he told his family he was going for a walk but never returned. He was last seen leaving a residence in the 400 block of Eighth St. E. at approximately 8:15 p.m.

“I think I’ve kind of known since it happened that this was where it was going to end,” David said. He added he cannot provide any explanation why he had a premonition about the river.

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David and Donald Light were always close. (submitted photo/David Light)

In the weeks that followed Donald Light’s disappearance, there was a tremendous outpouring of community support for the family on social media. A Facebook group dedicated to his case has more than 2,000 followers and already has several posts from members expressing condolences to the family.

One of many recent posting on the Find Donald Light Facebook group page. (Facebook/Find Donald Light)

“My family is overwhelmed with the amount of love and support we’ve received. Not just now, but constantly over the past five months. From the bottom of our hearts we are so so very grateful,” David said.

Those looking to provide support or grieve with the family face the issue of COVID-19 restrictions. Gatherings at funerals have been limited to 10 people. David acknowledged the family has waited five months to find Donald, and now has to wait longer to say goodbye. He noted people have been sending food and flowers, and he has heard rumours of people planning to drive by the family home.

“I think the best way to show support right now is to stay socially distant, send love from afar, and when the time is right we can all gather to celebrate his life,” he said.

Donald and David Light. (Submitted photo/ David Light)

One of the ways the community is assisting the Light family is through a GoFundMe page, which as of Thursday has raised over $4,400.

Lauren Lohneis created the account. She and David have been friends since their school days at Riverside and Carlton in Prince Albert, and have performed in numerous shows together as well. She said she felt compelled to help the people she cares about.

“I didn’t know Don as well but just being so close to David, and watching the family go through this is hard,” she said.

In addition to helping assist the family with funeral expenses, Lohneis said she also wanted to help Donald’s mother. The youngest brother, Adam, has cerebral palsy, and prior to his disappearance, Donald spent a lot of time helping his mother with various chores around the house, and expenses.

“I know since Donald went missing in November there have been expenses that have come with his absence,” she said. She added Donald helped with a lot of the heavy lifting and so the family was forced to make some adaptations to the house.

An autopsy was performed Tuesday and police said the cause of the death will not be released. Foul play is not suspected in the case.

On Thursday, the Light family left flowers at the spot where Donald’s body was found Monday. (Submitted photo/ David Light)

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell