The family of Don Piccolo, one of two victims of a double homicide in Winlock last month, has started a fundraiser to cover the costs of his celebration of life and burial arrangements.
“Our dad had little money but big hopes of how he would be remembered,” said Emily Piccolo, one of Don Piccolo’s daughters, in the fundraiser description. “… If you knew our dad, then you know he had a hard life. He made some not great choices but his heart was big. He was a good man and we miss him so much already.”
Don Piccolo, 61, and Kimberly R. Torres, 51, were found dead in their residence in the 400 block of Byham Road in Winlock on Feb. 25 after a citizen requested a wellness check.
Don Piccolo was last seen alive Feb. 4 and Torres was last seen alive Feb. 3, according to previous Chronicle reporting.
The Lewis County Coroner’s Office has determined the manner of death for both Piccolo and Torres was homicide.
Robert Eugene Chandler, 35, from the Toledo area, was charged March 10 for their murders. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for March 20.
Don Piccolo’s family is looking to raise $4,000 for his celebration of life, with any extra funds going toward buying a burial plot where Piccolo wanted to be buried next to his grandparents.
That fundraiser had raised $2,850 as of Monday afternoon. The link to the fundraiser is https://gofund.me/d663c018.
“If you’re unable to help money wise that’s totally fine, we understand that we all have responsibilities, but if you could share this we would greatly appreciate it. There is already so many decisions to make after a loved one passes but in the manner of this tragedy there is just so much to do,” Emily Piccolo stated. “Thank you to everyone for all the prayers and love and to everyone who has reached out to say their condolences. We are so grateful for all of you and I know our dad would be, (too). Thank you and God bless️.”
Information on Torres’ funeral arrangements was not publicly available as of Saturday afternoon.
Winlock community members have set up a public memorial for Don Piccolo and Torres outside of their trailer, with one community member leaving flowers and another putting up crosses bearing their names.
“These simple acts of kindness are a gentle reminder of the tragedy that happened here and how many people cared for Don and Kim. Our hearts go out to their family and friends,” Patti Angeliz Amos, executive director of Valhalla Rescue in Winlock, said in a social media post on Saturday.
Valhalla Rescue, with help from the veterinary nonprofit Waywards Companion Foundation, has been feeding and arranging medical care for Don Piccolo’s and Torres’ cats since their deaths were discovered.
“The best way for us to show that their lives mattered is to care for the cats that we knew they loved so much,” Angeliz said.
For more information about Valhalla Rescue or to donate, visit https://www.facebook.com/valhallacaninerescue.
More information about the double homicide can be found at chronline.com.
