3/10/2010 11:00:00 PM Prescott Valley woman who died in apparent murder-suicide a beloved volunteer
Katherine Marie Now
Dawn Gonzeles/Courtesy photos United Animal Friends and the Yavapai Humane Society are working to find new homes for two of Katherine Now’s dogs. Ruby is a shepherd and Dash is an older shepherd mix. Dash is dog- and cat-friendly. Anyone interested in helping or adopting these dogs can call Toby at UAF at 899-3942.
Memorial fund
A memorial fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank in the name of Katherine Now to help defray funeral costs. Anyone who would like to help in this way can go to any Wells Fargo bank and give Katherine's name and make a contribution.
The brother of Katherine Marie Now, the woman who died tragically in an apparent murder-suicide inside her Prescott Valley home the morning of Feb. 24, says she was the most giving, caring person he knew.
For Jeff, Katherine's sibling from Prescott who preferred not to share his last name, that's what made his youngest sister's death so perplexing.
Prescott Valley Police Department investigators believe Katherine died when her male roommate, 67-year-old Henry James Hill, shot her in the head with a handgun before lighting the house on fire and turning the pistol on himself. Katherine's cat also perished in the blaze, but her three dogs survived (see related story).
Police did not release the victims' names until late Wednesday afternoon. Sgt. Brandon Bonney, PVPD's public information officer, said that the department would not issue a complete police report on the case for at least another week since multiple law enforcement agencies remain involved in the investigation.
Katherine, 49, leaves behind her 27-year-old son, Greg, as well as her two brothers, Steve, 56, and Jeff, 54, her sister, Ernestine, 55, and her mother, Gerry.
"Everybody that had any contact with Katherine loved and adored her," Jeff said this past week from his Prescott mobile home. "She was so bubbly and so outgoing. She is going to be so, so missed."
Katherine, who cherished animals, served as a "foster parent" and volunteer with the Yavapai Humane Society, 1625 Sundog Ranch Road in Prescott. Jeff said she would take dogs, puppies, cats and kittens into her home if they needed temporary food and shelter.
"She was soft-spoken and she had a big heart," said Dawn Gonzales, alternative pet placement coordinator for the Yavapai Humane Society who knew Katherine for about a year. "She would never tell me 'no' if I asked her if she could foster. She is very missed - not just as a foster, but as a person."
Katherine also volunteered for Prescott Frontier Days annual Fourth of July Parade downtown. She helped line up entries and walked along the parade route.
Over the past two years at the rodeo, she freely gave of her time at the popular rodeo dance and worked during performances.
A gifted country and western dancer, Katherine enjoyed life, Jeff said.
Although she occasionally struggled to gain long-term employment, Jeff added, Katherine seemed to be getting back on her feet in the months before her death after becoming a caregiver for Prescott-based Tender Hearts Senior Care. In the past, she had done secretarial work, but transitioned out of that once she received a nurse's aide certification.
"Between volunteering and friends, she was always moving," Jeff said.
Katherine showed her compassionate side at a young age, as she gained fluency in sign language to communicate with her deaf older sister, Ernestine, and keep her involved in family conversations.
When Katherine moved to PV more than a decade ago, she occasionally interpreted for local Deaf Chat groups.
"She wanted to help the whole world," Jeff said. "She was very outgoing and always smiling."
***
On the day of Katherine's death, Central Yavapai Fire District firefighters quickly extinguished her engulfed home at 4201 Kearny Drive, on the town's east side, around 6:19 a.m. They soon found her body and Hill's in separate bedrooms.
To his regret, Jeff said he never met the man who allegedly killed Katherine. He thinks they met each other only a few months ago while she was unemployed.
Jeff speculates that Hill was "down on his luck" and needed a place to stay when he moved in with Katherine.
"Kathy was laid off and it was a win-win situation," Jeff said, although he is unsure if Hill had a job. "She was so happy that the guy was moving in, telling me, 'We'll make the best roommates. It will work out so good.'"
However, Jeff added, the circumstances soon deteriorated, even though Hill appeared to commit to an extended stay at Katherine's home and helped pay the bills.
Jeff thinks Hill had romantic feelings for Katherine that she did not want to reciprocate. Katherine had a boyfriend and many other male and female friends.
"She considered him a friend - totally platonic," Jeff said. "That's when the roommate situation started to go sour."
By the end of January, Jeff said Katherine told Hill he had a month to pack up his things and move out.
The murder-suicide happened only three or four days before the man was supposed to leave for good.
"Just a few days, and he would've been gone," Jeff said, tears welling up in his eyes. "Just a few days later."
***
Jeff has lived in Prescott since September 2005, but Katherine established roots in PV at least 12 years ago. Before Jeff, a divorcee, moved to Arizona from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, he would visit Katherine and his parents in Kingman over the holidays and during the summer months.
Shortly after relocating here, Jeff became a custodian at Prescott High School. For two years, everything went well - until one dark day in October 2007. Jeff was moving desks at the school when he felt a tingling sensation in both of his legs. He couldn't lie down, walk or sit.
Jeff later learned he had a blocked artery that was cutting off the blood and oxygen to his legs. He rushed himself to the emergency room in Prescott, where paramedics flew him to a heart hospital for surgery to repair the blockage.
When Jeff awoke, he was paralyzed from the waist down.
That's when Katherine became her brother's emergency contact and cared for him in the weeks and months after the surgery.
Since Jeff is mostly immobile, Katherine often would drive to his Prescott residence to visit him. Of the four siblings in their family, Jeff said he and Kathy were the closest.
Jeff talked to Katherine for the last time the weekend prior to her death. He called her Feb. 22, but failed to connect.
These days, Jeff uses a walker and a wheelchair to get around, although he no longer works and receives Social Security disability.
As he sat on a couch inside his doublewide mobile home this past Wednesday, Jeff couldn't stop thinking about what his sister meant to him through the years.
Jeff did not hear about Katherine's death until their mom phoned him at 5 p.m. the day of the apparent murder.
"When I knew my ex wanted a divorce 24 years ago, I thought that was the worst day of my life," Jeff said. "Then, in 2007, I thought being paralyzed was the worst thing I had ever gone through. But when I found out Katherine was murdered, that was definitely the worst day of my life."
Jeff commended the Prescott Valley Police Department, Central Yavapai Fire District and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for their work on the suspected murder-suicide case.
He added that he and his family thank those in the community who have given their sympathy, prayers and support in the days after the tragedy.
Today, Jeff said his only wish is that his sister's alleged killer had recognized that he had a serious problem.
"There is tons of help out there if at some point in your life you get that low," said Jeff, who admits he had suicidal thoughts both after his divorce and his paralysis. "And evidently, this man was very mentally sick and disturbed, and he had a warped mind.
"Why if he wanted to take his life didn't he leave my sister's alone?"
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
C Speer
I knew kathy very well. I lived with her for quite some time. She was as the article above mentioned a VERY warm hearted caring person! It breaks my heart that such a wonderful person was taken from this world in such a horrible disgusting way! I would like to take this oppurtunity to say that Kathrine saved my life in a lot of ways. I was in and out of foster care my whole life and when I met her I was thankful because she showed me that there is some good in this cold world! I remember one night I was with her and I had a bad dream. I woke up crying! and kathy sat by my side and hugged me until I felt better! She prayed with me that next morning and even though it sounds silly I never had another bad dream like the one that night before. I remember we went to an arts and crafts show in downtown prescott. we had so much fun! I trutly believe that kathy was my angel! she lifted me up when I was at my lowest point. As she has done for anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing her! I feel so thankful and honored that I was lucky enough to have known her! My deepest sympathys go out to Her family and other friends! May god be with you in this difficult time. Love you Kathy! C, Speer
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
Leana Jo H.
It's so sad that things like this actually go on in this small town. I think I knew her. She looks familiar to me, but who knows. Why did he kill her anyway? Have they found out why, the motive?
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
Shannon Kidder
I am sorry to hear about this. I was very shocked to hear.. I missed her. I met her and knew her for about 6 or more years. She was interpretered me at Yavapai college last 2006 and glad to interpreter with me at Lowe's last month ago. I was sad that Katherine and I supposed to go out lunch after her vacation . She is really wonderful girl and always support with deaf people... She is always in my heart. I really missed her ... I always pray for her.. and loving her...
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Victor Perez
By far the most caring and giving person I have ever met. I am so glad we became such good friends and I will always cherish this. I will miss you dearly. My heart goes out to your family Katherine. Rest in peace, and god bless you. I'll see you later.
Greg - I'd like to meet up with you sometime. My e-mail is v_1victp @ msn.com
Victor Perez
Posted: Monday, March 15, 2010
Article comment by:
Patsi Beaven
Katherine loved and trusted EVERYONE. I doubt there was anything anyone could have done to convince her she was in danger. She would never think badly of anyone. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Posted: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Article comment by:
Chris .
RIP-Katherine. You were always cheerful and optimistic even though life kept throwing you curves. You managed to keep smiling and you raised a great son. You are gone too early and you will be missed.
Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010
Article comment by:
RICHARD ANDERSON
WE MET KATHERINE 8 YEARS AGO, AFTER MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS BORN. SHE WAS A VOLUNTEER AT CHILD HAVEN HERE IN PRESCOTT. SHE REALLY LOVED OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, AND HELPED TAKE CARE OF HER FOR PERIODS OF TIME. KATHERINE REALLY HAD A BIG HEART. HER SON GREG IS A GREAT GUY ALSO. HE USED TO HELP MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S MOTHER WITH AUTO REPAIRS TO KEEP THEM SAFE ON THE ROAD. WE ARE SADDENED BY THIS TRAGEDY. WE WILL REMEMBER YOU KATHERINE- MAY GOD HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU ABOVE.
Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Mike Brower
Such a tragedy - why is hollow sounding and meaningless know that prayers for her family are being offered here. Would more available mental health services be able to prevent this scenario from repeating - I think so.
Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010
Article comment by:
bonnie and leroy dufresne
Greg, we are so sorry for your loss, and here for you if you need anything, your mother was a dear friend to us and she will be very missed, knowing her from the gym at first and then in the activities she joined us in. she was a very careing and giving person,and a joy to know.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Meta Brock
Greg, I meet you a few years back and your mother was so proud of you going to college. She not only had a heart for animals but she also fostered children and that is were I met her. She will always be remembered in my heart and family. I watched her dogs once when she went on vacation. I wish only the best to you and your family.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Taken from Us miller
Katherine, You are an angel. God Bless You and Your Family. I think of you everyday and I feel a deep pain in my heart that this happened to you. Its not fair how you left this world. I just know you will not be forgotten. My heart is with you and your Family.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Theda Erickson
Katherine may your soul be at peace, and know that Lloyd and I Theda Erickson will always remember your smile. And Greg may your mourning not be too long, but remember the good times and great memories of your mother..
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Pamela Liuzzo
I will cherish the time I was able to spend with Katherine during Adoration at St. Germaine’s church. She was special and it showed! She always had a smile on her face. I wish I had known her better. May God bless you Katherine!
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Shari L.
First off, great article and reporting. Got the facts out there, and yet, was still respectful. What a horrible, horrible story. Jeff, Greg, Katherine's whole family, my heart just spills for you. The only advice I can think to offer is don't hold back any emotions. All the anger, sadness, frustration, let it out. And find help for your grieving, if you need it. Don't be afraid. May you eventually find peace in the amazing life Katherine lived. Seeing her photo, I can tell she wasn't only beautiful on the inside, but the outside as well.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Lucy Rowley
I have not been able to get Katherine out of mind since the terrible event. She almost became my daughter-in-law, and during the engagement we became very close. She also worked for our company for several years and was an excellent employee. She indeed was very kind and giving. I remember her playing with my grandchildren and the get togethers we had. If I had a fenced yard I would gladly adopt Dash, since I encouraged her to get him, such a beautiful dog. I am praying for you all that somehow you can heal from this terrible cross. I know it will take time, but please know our hearts are with you. We are having a couple of masses said for her soul, and will be contributing to her funeral fund. I did not have the pleasure of meeting all of Katherine's family, but I did Greg, and I am very sorry that you are going through this. I understand that you need privacy regarding the funeral. However, we really wanted to attend so this is my way of telling you how much you mean to us. May God grant you some peace in your suffering.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Jack D
Great article and reporting, thanks Daily Courier.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Very Sad
Katherine I did not have the opportunity to know you but you were a very special person and I'm sure you will always be remembered. I hope a remembrance of some kind can be set up for your help with all the animals you have saved in the past, as I have no doubt the memory of you will help save many in the future. You are a gift to all of mankind.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Rita riley
Greg we are so sorry to hear about your mom, she was everything mentioned in the article. She was a wonderful person and so giving and caring. Our prayers are with you. Jim and Rita
