‘Getting stronger every day’
Six months after deaths of wife, children, Danbury man finds comfort in church, therapy, family
DANBURY — The living room of Pedro Panjon’s house has a TV, two couches, a chair and a small table with candles on top — and little else.
Six months ago, it was filled with the toys and things of his wife and three children whom he lost in a July tragedy that shocked the Danbury community.
Sonia Loja, 36, killed her three children — Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5 — before dying by suicide on July 27, Danbury police said.
On New Year’s Eve, Panjon, 48, sat down at his home in Danbury with Hearst Connecticut Media and a translator to talk about his life since that day.
Panjon, who declined to speak of his late wife or children, said he credits his church, family and therapist with getting him through the past five months.
He goes to therapy weekly at The Center for Empowerment and Education on West Street in Danbury. His therapist advised him to stay busy, which he said he does.
It was “very hard” initially to be alone, but Panjon said that by “keeping my brain busy,” by watching movies, cleaning and cooking, it is getting easier.
His therapist advised him to spend time outdoors, so Panjon said he regularly walks around his neighborhood. In warmer weather, Panjon said he fished at Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah and Fairfield Beach on Long Island Sound.
Panjon said he spends time with family — his brother, cousins, brother-in-law and sister-in-law who live nearby — including at Christmas.
St. Peter Catholic Church on Main Street is a source of comfort, he said. The funerals for his family were held at the church, which set up a collection for him.
Many aspects of Panjon’s life remain the same. He kept his job as a mason in New Milford and does additional masonry work on the side.
Panjon, who is originally from Ecuador and whose parents live there, said he plans to stay in his Danbury home “for now” since he “owns it” and “is comfortable” there.
It’s not fully clear what led to the tragedy, but shortly after his wife and children’s deaths, Panjon said his wife was worried about the family’s ability to pay their bills. State officials had ordered her to close her business after receiving a complaint that an unauthorized day care was operating at the home.
Giving support
In early August, Panjon posted a photo on the Facebook page Danbury Al Dia, with children’s toys and other items. It said, “Todo es gratis ... “(at his address) which means “Everything free (at his address”).
The post received nearly 700 responses, more than 75 comments and was shared about 125 times.
“The neighbors took everything,” Panjon said, through the interpreter, as he described giving away his children’s belongings.
In the weeks after the tragedy, donations of money, food and other items were brought or sent to Panjon’s home. Other items were collected through the Danbury Al Dia Facebook page, which was created by Danbury resident Walter Garcia.
Though he said he appreciates the donations, Panjon said no longer needs such assistance from the public. With therapy, church and family, he said he’s healing and is able to move on.
“Thank you to everybody who supported me,” Panjon said. “There is only one life. I am getting stronger every day.”