London terror victim leaves positive legacy

LONDON: The family of the American victim in the British Parliament terrorism attack said they “bear no harsh feelings or ill will” and “felt the love of so many people”.

Speaking at a UK press conference days after Kurt Cochran, a musician from Utah, was killed alongside three others in a terrorist attack at Westminster, his family related how he lived a life of positivity.

“Last night we were speaking as a family about this and it was unanimous that none of us harbour any ill will or harsh feelings towards this,” his sister-in-law, Sarah PayneMcFarland, said.

“We love our brother; we love what he brought to the world and we feel that this situation will bring many good things to the world, a lot of inspiration, a lot of life.”

Cochran’s brother-in-law, Clint Payne, added: “For those of us who knew Kurt, we know he would not bear ill feelings towards anyone. We can draw strength as a family from that.

“His life was an example of focusing positively, not pretending that negative things don’t exist, but not living our life in the negative and that’s what we choose to do too.”

Cochran and his wife, Melissa, were sightseeing on the last day of their 25th wedding anniversary trip to London when Kent-born Khalid Masood drove on to the pavement of Westminster Bridge, killing Cochran and seriously injuring his wife before crashing the car and stabbing police officer Keith Palmer to death.

Melissa, who suffered a broken rib and an injured leg, was described by her sister Jenny as a “fighter” who was recovering well.

“They were so excited to come,” Cochran’s mother-inlaw said. It was the first time the couple travelled abroad. They visited Scotland and Ireland after landing in the UK on March 3. “Their last two weeks here were amazing for the two of them, it was perfect,” she added. – The Independent