Love and grief envelop spouse after family deaths in Mumbai

Kia Scherr said she feels compassion and love for the terrorist who killed her husband and daughter in India last week.

Scherr, speaking at a news conference yesterday at the Synchronicity Foundation's home in Nelson County, said the terrorists are "completely shrouded by fear. We must show love overpowers fear."

Alan Scherr, 58, and 13-year-old Naomi Scherr were shot dead while on a pilgrimage to India with a group from the Synchronicity Foundation, a spiritual community near Faber about 20 miles south of Charlottesville. Four other members of the group were wounded.

Alan Scherr, a former art professor, and his daughter were shot while they ate dinner in the lobby of a hotel in Mumbai.

Kia Scherr, who has lived at the spiritual retreat for 11 years, said that since their deaths she has experienced "the deepest grief I've ever known and the most love and support I've ever received."

She said her husband and daughter "were enjoying each day to the fullest" while in India. "They loved the people of India. The sights, the smells, the food. Everything."

Charles Cannon, the head of the foundation that focuses on meditation and a holistic approach to life, said he had just finished eating in his hotel room when he heard shots and explosions.

"You cannot imagine the volume of noise," he said. "They were shooting everyone and everything in the lobby." Cannon and others barricaded his room, which soon filled with smoke.

Eventually, however, they were allowed outside the room after the terrorists were killed or captured. More than 170 people died and hundreds were wounded in the attack.

Cannon said he had to identify the bodies of the Scherrs before he left the hotel. "I stepped over bodies and walked through pools of blood," he said. He said Scherr and his daughter were under the table, "arms outstretched to each other. It's one of the most challenging things I've ever done. They were two people I loved."

The foundation will hold a memorial service at a still unspecified date.

Cannon, a disciple of a well-known Indian guru, is known as Master Charles Cannon. He oversees the complex that includes a monastery and living quarters for about 30 people.
Contact Carlos Santos at (434) 295-9542 or .