The wife of Timothy Bosma, the southwestern Ontario man whose body was found days after he took two men on a test drive of his pickup truck, says she is “broken” by the devastating loss of her husband but is determined to remain strong for her daughter.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Sharlene Bosma said that after a week of awaiting word on her husband’s fate, Tuesday’s news that his body had been found in a field took its toll.
“Yesterday was the most horrifying day of my life … and people tell me that I have been so strong. And all I know is that I have a beautiful two-year-old girl at home, who now needs her mummy more than ever,” she said tearfully. “I know I cannot fall apart. But I am broken because part of me is gone.”
She added that she will make sure her daughter will grow up knowing how much her father loved her and that her family, together with the community, will keep Tim Bosma’s memory alive.
“She will know how much he was loved by me, his family, his friends and even perfect strangers,” she said. “Tim will always be loved and he will always be remembered … I love you Tim.”
Bosma, a 32-year-old married father of one, disappeared on May 6 after leaving his Ancaster, Ont., home with two strangers for a test drive of a pickup truck he was selling online.
When Bosma failed to return home, police launched a widespread search that took them throughout southern Ontario. On Tuesday police announced Bosma’s burned remains had been located in the Waterloo area. Police said Bosma was likely murdered shortly after heading out for the drive.
With family standing behind her, Sharlene Bosma thanked the Hamilton police for their work during the investigation.
“This was not our desired outcome, but I am still grateful to the police for finding him,” she said.
She also thanked the community for their support and the media for keeping her husband “on everyone’s minds and hearts” during the search.
“We know and take some comfort in (knowing) that Tim has touched so many people,” she said. “It pains me to do so, but I must ask for your support and prayers for the hours and the weeks and even the years that lie ahead for us.”
A trust account has been set up for donations to Sharlene Bosma and her daughter at TD Canada Trust, the family announced Wednesday.
Donations can be made in person, via telephone or online.
The account number is 6332096 and the branch number is 2047.
Earlier on Wednesday, the lawyer representing a suspect charged with first-degree murder in Bosma’s death said his client intends to plead not guilty.
Defence lawyer Deepak Paradkar told reporters Wednesday that once the other suspects wanted in the Bosma investigation are apprehended, “you’ll get a fuller picture of what’s going on.”
Dellen Millard, 27, appeared in court Wednesday morning where he was charged with first-degree murder.
Millard, who was arrested on Saturday, has also been charged with forcible confinement and theft over $5,000.
At least two other suspects are being sought in the investigation.
