Kurt Cochran: Family of London terror attack victim have ‘no harsh feelings’ towards Khalid Masood
American musician’s wife is still recovering from her injuries sustained in the attack
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Your support makes all the difference.The family of the American victim in the Parliament terror attack has said they “bear no harsh feelings or ill will” and have “felt the love of so many people”.
Speaking at a UK press conference days after Kurt Cochran, a musician from Utah, was killed alongside three others in a terrorist attack at Westminster, his family described how Cochran lived a life of positivity.
“Last night we were speaking as a family about this, and it was unanimous that none of us harbour any ill will or harsh feelings towards this,” his sister-in-law Sarah Payne-McFarland said.
“We love our brother, we love what he brought to the world and we feel that this situation will bring many good things to the world, a lot of inspiration, a lot of life.”
Cochran’s brother-in-law, Clint Payne, added: “For those of us knew Kurt in life, we know Kurt would not bear ill feelings towards anyone.
“We can draw strength as a family from that. His whole life was an example of focusing on the positive, not pretending that negative things don’t exist, but not living our life in the negative and that’s what we choose to do also.”
Cochran and his wife, Melissa, were sightseeing on the last day of their 25th wedding anniversary trip to the UK capital when Kent-born Khalid Masood drove along the pavement of Westminster Bridge, killing Cochran and seriously injuring his wife, before crashing the car into railings and stabbing police officer Keith Palmer to death.
Ms Cochran, who was left with a broken rib and a badly injured leg, was described by her sister, Jenny, as a “fighter” who was recovering well.
“They were so excited to come,” Cochran’s mother-in-law said. It was the first time the couple had travelled abroad, and they had visited Scotland and Ireland after landing in the UK on 3 March.
“Their last two weeks here were amazing for the two of them, it was perfect,” she added.
His family spoke of how the 54-year-old was “great” with children, and of his “humble” and “magical” personality.
In the wake of his death, bands he had worked with, friends and family hosted memorials and raised funds for his wife.
Cochran’s father-in-law said people had been “amazing”.
“Everyone has been wonderful,” he said.
“We’re actually kind of excited to get back home and give everybody a hug.”
The family said they were “deeply touched” by the donations, generosity and assistance of government agencies in the UK and the US.
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