Ottawa to pay for funeral of slain family

The federal government is confirming it will pay for the funerals of four people found dead in a Nova Scotia home last Tuesday. However Veteran’s Affairs officials would not elaborate further Saturday on the arrangements for Lionel Desmond, his wife, mother and daughter. Media reports quote family members as saying they were told Saturday the government would cover funeral costs. Police have said Desmond shot his 31-year-old wife Shauna, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and his mother Brenda Desmond, 52, in their home in Upper Big Tracadie before killing himself. Family members have said Desmond was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour in Afghanistan in 2007g.