Dayton gunman’s family apologizes for Connor Betts’ ‘insensitive’ obituary

The family of the Dayton, Ohio gunman has issued an apology for their ‘insensitive’ obituary where they praised their son as a ‘funny, articulate and intelligent man with a kind smile’ despite his ruthless attack that left nine dead, including his own sister. 

The family of shooter Connor Betts deleted their glowing obituary doting on their son on the website of funeral home Conner & Koch in their hometown of Bellbrook, Ohio on Wednesday.  

They also issued an apology for being insensitive ‘in not acknowledging the terrible tragedy he created’. 

The tribute for his sister Megan Kathleen Betts remains online.  

The family of Dayton shooter Connor Betts have deleted his obituary and issued an apology for the tribute that was ‘insensitive in not acknowledging the terrible tragedy he created’. Connor pictured with sister Megan and parents above

The family issued this update on Wednesday apologizing for the original tribute to Connor Betts where they described him as a 'funny, articulate and intelligent man with a kind smile'

The family issued this update on Wednesday apologizing for the original tribute to Connor Betts where they described him as a ‘funny, articulate and intelligent man with a kind smile’

The current state of his tribute page online pictured above

The current state of his tribute page online pictured above 

‘Stephen and Moira Betts apologize that the wording of the obituary for their son Connor was insensitive in not acknowledging the terrible tragedy that he created,’ the apology said. 

‘In their grief, they presented the son that they knew, which in no way reduces the horror of his last act. We are deeply sorry,’ it added. 

The funeral home page originally included a tribute for Connor and his sister, written by the family. 

The page described the 24-year-old mass murderer as ‘A funny, articulate and intelligent man with striking blue eyes and a kind smile.’

It failed to talk about the manner of death – how he was shot dead by police after he released a hail of bullets killing nine and injuring 17 using a .223-caliber ‘assault-style- weapon while dressed in body armor on August 4 in the Oregon District of Dayton. 

It only stated that he ‘passed away Sunday, August 4th 2019’. 

He was described as ‘an avid reader,’ who, ‘when he wasn’t reading on his Kindle or playing his Xbox, you could find him watching his favorite show, Bob’s Burgers.’ 

Not a mention of the truth: The family's original obituary to Connor Betts is pictured above and fails to mention the devastating shooting he launched. It was removed on Wednesday

Not a mention of the truth: The family’s original obituary to Connor Betts is pictured above and fails to mention the devastating shooting he launched. It was removed on Wednesday

Another omission: The lengthier obituary of Megan Betts says nothing about how she was killed by her brother in the course of his mass shooting in the Oregon District of Dayton, OH

Another omission: The lengthier obituary of Megan Betts says nothing about how she was killed by her brother in the course of his mass shooting in the Oregon District of Dayton, OH

Connor's original obituary failed to mention how he killed his own sister Megan in the gunfire

Connor’s original obituary failed to mention how he killed his own sister Megan in the gunfire

‘As he got older, he loved reading fiction, alternative history book,, and keeping up-to-date on current politics.’ 

At the time of his death he was employed at Chipotle as a grill cook. 

The tribute featured a photograph of Betts sitting with his hands together with a smile on his face. 

Brian Koch, the owner of the funeral home, told USA Today the family requested Connor’s tribute be taken down. 

With his sister: The obituary from the Betts family omits how he took his sister with him to the mass shooting. They were seen with friend Charles 'Chace' Beard who Betts also killed on surveillance footage released by police

With his sister: The obituary from the Betts family omits how he took his sister with him to the mass shooting. They were seen with friend Charles ‘Chace’ Beard who Betts also killed on surveillance footage released by police

Real heroes: Connor Betts - 'funny, articulate and intelligent' according to his family - was stopped by three Dayton Police Department officers before he could kill and wound even more people

Real heroes: Connor Betts – ‘funny, articulate and intelligent’ according to his family – was stopped by three Dayton Police Department officers before he could kill and wound even more people

The funeral home also released a statement saying ‘We stand with our community in this time of need and are mourning along with the cities of Dayton and Bellbrook.’

‘We are making every effort to encourage unity to the spirit of peace,’ the statement added. 

In the devastating attack, authorities are still not sure if Betts had deliberately targeted his sister 22-year-old Megan. 

In her tribute, there is no mention of the violent nature of her final moments and death. Instead she too is simply described as having ‘passed away, Sunday 4th August.’ 

Family: Connor Betts parents' Moira and Stephen published a series of pictures showing an apparently happy family life - and without mentioning or apologizing for his actions

Family: Connor Betts parents' Moira and Stephen published a series of pictures showing an apparently happy family life - and without mentioning or apologizing for his actions

Family: Connor Betts parents’ Moira and Stephen published a series of pictures showing an apparently happy family life – and without mentioning or apologizing for his actions

Siblings: Among the pictures Connor Betts' parents published were childhood images of Connor and Megan. But they did not point out that he killed her

Siblings: Among the pictures Connor Betts’ parents published were childhood images of Connor and Megan. But they did not point out that he killed her

Connor Betts’ obituary was a stark contrast from how he was described by people who knew him. Following the shooting it’s come to light that Betts was obsessed with guns, allegedly used hard drugs, and allegedly got a friend to buy him body armor. 

His love of ‘porngrind,’ the hardcore music genre with lyrics filled with talk of hate, violence and rape and his time as singer for his band, ‘Menstrual Munchies’ passes without mention.  

Following the shooting a woman who briefly dated Betts, Caitlyn ‘Adelia’ Johnson said that Connor had taken her to gun ranges and on their first date showed her body camera footage of a mass shooting at a synagogue, she said to the Toledo Blade. 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk