Father calls loss “absolutely devastating”

In a message posted on his church’s Facebook page, the father of Gannon Stauch thanked those who have supported him since his son was reported missing in late January and asked for privacy as he copes with the reality that his son is dead.

“As you can tell from the initial missing child report, to the arrest and charges in early March, and now the wonderful, yet gutwrenching news that Gannon’s body has been recovered, this has been a heartbreaking and absolutely devastating time period in my life,” Albert Stauch’s message said. The message was posted Sunday on the Facebook page of the Restoration Church in Colorado Springs, which Albert Stauch attends.

“To those who are loving, supportive, and peaceful, thank you a million times over and God bless you all,” the message said.

He added that he will more than likely not give any public interviews or statements until the end of the case against his son’s stepmother, Letecia Stauch.

The remains of the missing boy were discovered Tuesday beneath a bridge in Florida, nearly 1,400 miles from his Colorado Springs home.

The discovery led prosecutors in Colorado’s 4th Judicial District to file nine more charges against Letecia Stauch. She was arrested March 2 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and brought back to Colorado to face charges, including two counts of first-degree murder.

Earlier this month, Restoration

Church posted a video in which Albert Stauch tells the congregation he wants to share his son’s story with the world.

A slideshow begins with an ultrasound picture of Gannon in his mother’s womb. Then, picture after picture — for nearly 11 minutes — shows Gannon as he overcomes a premature birth to grown into an active boy who enjoyed adventures with his family.