[August 30, 2011] Benefit planned for family of murder victim Tweet ALBION, Aug 25, 2011 (The Journal-Register - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Friends and family of an Albion native who was murdered earlier this year at her home in Pennsylvania are coming together to raise money for her children who will be traveling back and forth in the coming months to testify at the trial of the man who is accused of killing her. On July 11, Melissa and Tayler Elich of Albion and Adam and Nick Tower of Virginia Beach, Va., received the news that their mother, Celeste Abbott, 55, and stepfather, Ken Abbott, 65, were killed in a car accident. Stepbrother Colin Abbott reportedly called and described to them a fiery car crash in New Jersey that burned their bodies beyond recognition. According to family member Anna Tower of Albion, the siblings immediately came together to grieve the loss of their mother and to hold a memorial service in Albion. "In asking one of the children how they were holding up, they told me: 'I picture my mother falling asleep in the car and waking up in Heaven, knowing she went in peace is what will get me through this.' " As the weeks went by, the four children, along with family and friends, attempted to heal from their devastating loss. However, questions began to arise regarding the accident, death certificates and the whereabouts of ashes. A phone call was made to the New Jersey Police Department to obtain some answers. The response was one they never expected. Taylor said the police department had no record of an accident of that nature, which quickly prompted an investigation by State Police in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where the couple lived. On July 13, a month after the family was told their mother had died in a car accident, State Police notified the four children that human remains were found at their mother and stepfather's home in Pennsylvania, and it would soon be determined that these charred and dismembered remains were that of their mother and stepfather. Colin Abbott was subsequently arrested in New Jersey for the double homicide. "This vicious crime has shattered the visions of their mother's peaceful passing and has become a real-life nightmare," said Taylor. "In the months and possibly years to come, Colin Abbott will be on trial for the murders of his stepmother and his father." Colin Abbott is being held in jail and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29. Adam, Nick, Melissa and Tayler will have to make many trips to Pennsylvania to testify and be present at the trial to honor the memory of their mother and stepfather. In an effort to help with some of these expenses, a benefit dinner and Chinese auction is being planned for Sept. 10 at the QWL Building on State School Road in Albion, near the correctional facility. The event will include an all-you-can-eat ziti dinner for dine in or take out from 4 to 7 p.m., with pasta, meatballs, salad, dinner roll and dessert. There will also be a DJ, horseshoes and volleyball. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. All of the money raised will go directly to Celeste Abbott's four children for traveling expenses during the trial. For pre-sale tickets or further information, contact Heather Tower at 727-0216 or Mike Tower at 233-5428. ___ (c)2011 The Journal-Register (Medina, N.Y.) Visit The Journal-Register (Medina, N.Y.) at www.journal-register.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]