By David Lohr
(Continued)
Tara's sister, Alicia Standerfer, is devastated by the loss of her sister. On Monday, she posted a message to a Web site that had been devoted to Tara's disappearance.
"My family and I would like to take this opportunity to express how deeply saddened we are at the loss of Tara," she wrote. "As Tara's only sibling, I feel passionately about maintaining my sister's voice, since it's become impossible for her to speak herself. Tara loved her children, her two beautiful children, with all her heart and did everything in her power to provide for her family.
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| Alicia Standerfer |
"... We are filled with grief and are horrified at the manner, which Tara's life was needlessly taken and are filled with many, many unanswered questions. We hope and believe that Tara's murderer will ultimately be brought to justice.
"Tara's death leaves behind two beautiful children, whose lives are going to be forever affected by this gruesome act... We know the road ahead is going to be a difficult one, but our memories of Tara and our faith in God will remain our cornerstone and provide our strength."
Yesterday, John Kennedy, a Macomb County Juvenile Court referee, granted Standerfer temporary custody of her sister's two children, a boy and a girl, ages 6 and 4. During the hearing, the state also made a motion to terminate Stephen Grant's parental rights. A court-appointed attorney representing Grant did not indicate whether his client would challenge the motion. A pretrial hearing will be held in Macomb County juvenile court within the next 30 days.
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| Alicia Standerfer and Tara Grant |
Stephen Grant reported his wife missing on Feb. 14. According to statements made by Grant, the couple had an argument on the night of Feb. 9. about Tara's job with an international construction contractor and the amount of time that she was spending away from him and their two young children. Grant said that, following the argument, at about 11:15 p.m., his wife walked out of the house, got into a dark sedan, and vanished.
On March 4, investigators conducted a search of Grant's home and discovered a human torso in the garage. Following the discovery, a massive manhunt was launched for Grant, who eventually was found wandering through the woods in Bliss Township in northern Michigan, over 200 miles from his home. He initially was arrested on charges of open murder and dismemberment of a corpse.
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| Stephen Grant |
Following his arrest, Grant was transported to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, where he was treated for hypothermia and frostbite. He was released the following day, and sheriff's deputies transported him to the Macomb County Jail.
Grant's next court appearance is scheduled for March 20. If convicted of the charges against him, Grant could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Previous Page
After Massive Manhunt, Steven Grant Arrested, Charged With Wife's Murder
Tara Lynn Grant's Sister Angry at Stephen Grant's Emails to Girlfriend
New Details Emerge In Disappearance of Tara Lynn Grant
Tara Lynn Grant Disappears After An Argument With Her Husband
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