Bronx triple-murder-suicide: Cousin speaks on mental health crisis as family mourns victims
Rivers had just taken his aunt, Theresa Stukes, to get her hair done, days before he got the news that she had been killed.
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Darius Rivers says all he has left of his aunt and cousins are videos and joyful moments that are now locked in the past.
"This is our biggest loss. There is no way of getting past this," said Rivers.
Rivers had just taken his aunt, Theresa Stukes, to get her hair done, days before he got the news that she had been killed.
"Our family is suffering," said Rivers.
Theresa Stukes, 75, Kianna Stukes, 26 and her boyfriend, Andrew Reynoso, 33 were found dead inside the Stukes' family apartment at the Castle Hill Houses on the morning of Nov. 5. Police sources suspect Kaseem Stukes, 44, killed his mother, daughter and her boyfriend before taking his own life, in what's being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Rivers says he wants to dispel the negative light being shed on his cousin, Kaseem, who he says suffered from mental health issues after serving time in jail.
“He was a good man. Nonetheless, we need to focus on the importance of him. The media already painted him as a monster. He lost his brother and his father. Despite being in the system, he turned his life around. He got two jobs," said Rivers, "My cousin was a victim of the justice system. Mental health has affected three generations in my family."
RELATED: Chilling details revealed in case of 4 people found dead in Castle Hill Apartment
Rivers says he lived with his Aunt Theresa, cousin Kaseem and Kianna throughout his childhood.
"He helped the community out, even me, growing up as a young man in this environment, he made me the man I am right now," said Rivers.
The grief is raw and the questions as to why may never be answered.
"I wish I knew, but I really don't," said Rivers.
As Rivers mourns, he is reminded of his Cousin Kianna, who worked as a dental assistant. Rivers says she was more of a sister and the motivator of the family.
"This is my one-year anniversary of getting her name tattooed on me. She was my best friend. I love her to death. She was outgoing. She loved to have fun, she loved to party with the family. She was just an amazing person," said Rivers.
A growing candlelit memorial with photos glows outside the Castle Hill Houses on Lacombe Avenue, where his "Auntie" Theresa was a pillar in the community.
"Everybody lived with Auntie. Everybody loved coming in, like she always made the best food. If you ever wanted to meet her, you'd catch up on the bench with her. She was always sitting on the bench with her friends. They called her the golden girl," said Rivers.
Rivers' hope is to share their family's story in hopes of helping other families suffering from mental health issues to seek help before it is too late.
“Please don’t neglect your mental health. This is a tough loss to me and all my family. Save yourself and family by going to actually speak to somebody," said Rivers.
