The grief is a crushing weight for Matt Jacobs, father of Emmett Jacobs, one of the victims in the devastating events that unfolded in Tumbler Ridge. His statement, released after days of unimaginable pain, speaks to a loss that defies description and a complex web of relationships shattered by tragedy.
“The pain I have been feeling…is unbearable,” Jacobs wrote, his words raw with emotion. He described the profound emptiness of losing his son, a boy he cherished, and extended his sorrow to Jennifer Strang, the mother of his children, who also perished. He emphasized that despite their personal differences, she did not deserve such a horrific fate.
Emmett, he recalled, was a vibrant and joyful child, a companion in fishing trips and outdoor adventures. Jacobs spoke of his son’s intelligence, kindness, and the aching regret of lost time. The thought of all the moments stolen from them is a constant, agonizing presence.
Amidst the confusion following the shooting, reports circulated identifying Emmett as the stepbrother of the shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar. Jacobs clarified that Emmett was, in fact, Van Rootselaar’s half-brother, and addressed misleading information circulating online regarding his own relationship to Jesse.
He explained that he is the biological father of Emmett, Jean-Pierre, and Bentley, but had been estranged from his children for the past eight years, prevented from consistent contact by Jennifer Strang. Despite the distance, he consistently attempted to arrange visits and phone calls, often to no avail, complicated by his residence in Alberta.
Despite the separation and the difficulties in maintaining a relationship, Jacobs emphasized that he always strived for a peaceful co-existence with Jennifer. He deeply cared for her, the mother of his children, and remained in contact, offering support during challenging times. They were still legally married, with divorce proceedings underway and plans for a future with his current partner.
Now, Jacobs faces the daunting task of rebuilding a life for his two surviving children in Tumbler Ridge, navigating a future irrevocably altered by loss. He acknowledges the secrets and withheld information, offering a surprising and profound forgiveness to Jennifer.
He recognized Jesse’s struggles, stating he had done what he could during their time together before the separation, but admits he could not have foreseen the escalation to such violence. He expressed deep sympathy for Jennifer’s family and pleaded for compassion for her surviving children.
In closing, Jacobs requested privacy and offered his heartfelt prayers to all those affected by the tragedy, acknowledging the shared pain and the immense difficulty in processing the events. He asked for space for himself and his family to grieve and begin the long journey of healing.
