Despite many requests, including an offer of $5000 from one media outlet, the Rasmussens have spoken at length to Southern Cross about their struggle to forgive Karen Brown, the security guard who killed their grandson Bill Aquilina after he robbed her in 2004.
In December's Southern Cross, which appears in parishes this weekend, Frank and Elaine Rasmussen will tell the extraordinary story of how they forgave the woman who killed their grandson.
Initially, the Rasmussens blamed Ms Brown for Bill's death, and at the time Frank expressed his anger and resentment through media reports.
But as the trial progressed, the Rasmussens came to forgive her, and more recently Ms Brown has told the Sunday Telegraph that their forgiveness was one of the few shafts of light in her shattered life.
Now the Rasmussens will tell their side of the story.
The Rasmussens testify strongly to the love and support of their local congregation at Denham Court Anglican Church, in Sydney's south west, and the important role they played in this journey towards forgiveness.
The Rev Cameron Munro, minister at Denham Court had only been in the parish two weeks when Bill was killed.
He spent the first night after Bill's death alongside them both, and Frank describes him as Elaine's "guardian angel'.
He reflects that Cameron's love and support ‘more than made up for’ the lack of counselling he had received after serving in the Second World War and facing traumatic events as a career police officer.
Mr Munro maintains that he "didn't do very much,' and emphasises the care given by other members of the parish.
"I don't know if you could single something out like mowing lawns, or making meals," he says. "There was just a general atmosphere of support."
Over twenty Denham Court members attended Bill's funeral held at Pine Grove Memorial Park, Minchinbury.
The story has amazed people both in and outside the church.
Ms Brown was found not guilty of both murder and manslaughter in August this year, and Mr Munro says that his own parents were shocked when they heard that the Rasmussens were pleased about the verdict.
"They thought that when she got off they would be devastated," he says. "But it was great to be able to say, actually, they've forgiven her."
Photos: Amanda Keats / AF Photography
