Services held for De Pere family

STURGEON BAY - Those who knew the victims of last week's murder-suicide said their final good byes Thursday.

Services were held in Sturgeon Bay for 44-year-old Michelle Bay, her daughter 14-year-old Andrea and son, 10-year-old Daniel.

Services were held earlier in the day for husband and father Denis Bay.

Authorities say he killed his wife and children last Friday, and then killed himself.

On Thursday, family and friends of the Bay family lined the steps of Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church to pay their final respects.

"Words cannot be found to describe what they're going through; but what speaks volumes is standing together, leaning on each other, and holding each other up in a difficult time, explained Bishop Paul Graf.

Family did not want to talk to the media, but former Pastor of the church, Bishop Paul Graf, talked to reporters on behalf of the family prior to the services.

Graf officiated Denis and Michelle's wedding back in 1993.

In a statement read by Graf, the family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community.

"Many friends and those they will never know, who have held their families close, and offered up prayers on their behalf," Graf said.

Holding the obituaries in his hands, Graf told reporters, it has been a rough road for family and friends.

"I can't begin to feel and understand the anguish of their families and nor I or any of us can fully understand what led to this senseless action," Graf said.

Graf told reporters he was angered by the initial news of the shooting, but he hopes something positive can come from this.

"Hopefully someone might learn from this and know there are other ways to deal with this difficulties and stresses in life," Graf said.

The De Pere Police say the incident is still under investigation, leaving everyone still wondering what led to this tragedy.