Like daughter, like mother: The gruesome murder of Alexandra Zapp at a Route 24 rest stop in Massachusetts continues to boggle the mind. But her spirit lives on. A Boston Herald story today shows why Zapp’s mother, Andrea Casanova, is a class act, just like her daughter. From the Herald: “(T)he grieving Oregon mother has also spent time reflecting on the heart-wrenching impact the tragedy has had on the accused murderer's family. ‘His family said their heart went out to us. I just want to say our heart goes out to them, too. It's not their fault,’ a tearful Casanova said of Paul Leahy's family.” And Casanova has kind words for the state trooper who literally caught Leahy standing over the body of Zapp in a rest-stop bathroom. The Herald: “When she (recently) met state police Lt. Stephen O'Reilly, the hulking trooper embraced Casanova, who bears a striking resemblance to her daughter. ‘He had tears in his eyes and he said, `I'm so sorry I wasn't there earlier.' And I said `I'm so glad you were there,' ' Casanova recalled. ‘Honestly, if he hadn't walked through that door with the force of the law behind him, with a gun pointed, whoever would have come through that door would have been killed if it hadn't been him.’''

Forgiveness. Thinking of others’ well-being while still in mourning. A big heart of gold, just like her daughter.
  ¶ 7:36 AM