Investigators are still trying to determine if the pistol Raymond Springer carried was the same gun used to kill himself and his wife, Crystal Springer, on Sunday, June 11.
Clearlake Oaks resident Crystal Springer had filed a restraining order against her estranged husband after he threatened to kill her. The two of them were scheduled to return to court later in June when she apparently died at his hands not long before he killed himself, leaving behind their three children, ages 5, 11 and 14.
“We are still waiting on the forensics report from the Department of Justice,” said Sheriff Rod Mitchell. “We have not yet received back from them the ballistics confirmation. When we do then we will be able to speak plainly and authoritatively that the same firearm was used to kill her.”
Part of the delay, according to Mitchell, may be that there is currently no outstanding suspect.
In regard to the children”s well being, Springer”s mother, Janet Hix, reports that, “It”s going really well. They are with their grandparents and their aunt and we are all working together to make sure the children are OK.” Hix added, “I”m really grateful for everything that people have done.”
One organization that has proven especially supportive of Hix and her family is the Victim-Witness Division of the District Attorney”s Office.
Victim-Witness provides assistance services to the victims and witnesses of crimes. Services include crisis intervention, counseling referrals, court assistance, transportation for court and support, referrals for mental health counseling, victim of crime claims, family/friend notification, employer and creditor intervention, and much more.
Hix said Victim-Witness contacted her to ask if the family needed assistance, and helped with Crystal Springer”s burial service. “Generally we offer funeral assistance and we offer up to $7,500 from the state, which covers cremation, embalming, the casket and the obituary,” Victim-Witness Program Director Sam Laird explained. “What our office normally does that others like us do not is to pay for it with a special budget we have and then get reimbursed from the state.
“We do this so that family members don”t have to wait. Whether it is rape, child abuse, elder abuse or domestic violence whatever the case ? we try to take away as many of the small details as possible so that someone can deal with the grieving process.”
Also helping the family are community groups. The Eastlake Grange Youth Program, which set up the trust fund for the Springer children, invites the public to attend a five-course gourmet dinner prepared by Grange Master Roger Hue De Laroque, with all proceeds going to the trust fund. The benefit dinner will be held in mid-September; tickets will be $50 per person. To purchase tickets for the benefit call 350-4067. Donations also may be made for the Springer children at Bank of the West in Clearlake.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
