London attacker turned celebration into tragedy

They had for 25 years.

This week was supposed to be a chance to celebrate their anniversary, as well as a chance for Kurt and Melissa Cochran to visit Melissa’s parents, who work on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission in England.

As they walked across London’s Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, the last day of their vacation, the Utah couple’s celebratory trip turned to tragedy.

In a flash, the Cochrans became some of the first pedestrians struck by an SUV driven by a British attacker carrying out what appears to be the latest terrorist attack in Europe.

Kurt Cochran was killed in the attack and his wife suffered a broken leg, broken rib been married and a cut and bruises, said friend Mike Murphy.

Photos on Kurt Cochran’s Facebook page show the couple enjoying their sightseeing travels through Europe prior to the tragic events. In one post, he is shown smiling and holding a German beer under the caption, “After a long day of sightseeing.”

On Thursday, Cochran’s death was memorialized in a tweet from President Donald Trump that offered “prayers” and “condolences.”

In a statement released by the church, Clint Payne, Melissa’s brother, said: “Our family is heartbroken to learn of the death of our brotherand son-in-law, Kurt W Cochran.”

The statement called Cochran “a good man” and a “loving husband.”

For the last decade, the couple ran a recording studio in their basement where Kurt Cochran helped musicians develop their talents.

The couple lived just outside Salt Lake City.