No, my son has not been murdered, but I was just very moved by the testimony of a father whose son was murdered.

On March 10, 2022, 23-year-old elementary school teacher Michael Echaniz was shot to death by 25-year-old Matthew Wiessing. Several months prior to the murder Wiessing’s girlfriend had terminated their relationship and was now dating Michael Echaniz. This so enraged Wiessing that he shot Michael in the head, not once, but three times.

Wiessing was arrested a little over a week later, after a family member of his noticed his strange behavior immediately after the murder and a 9mm handgun missing from the family home. On July 1, 2022 Wiessing was indicted by the grand jury and a month ago he was sentenced to 40 years in prison, of which he will serve at least 21 years.

After the sentencing Michael’s father John Echaniz addressed Wiessing at length, recounting his family’s and the community’s shock and pain over this brutal act of revenge, culminating with  quote from the gospel, that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, saying that he certainly does not want to stand in the way of “more joy in heaven,” that he forgives Matthew and prays that he will find God’s love in Jesus Christ.

The Echaniz family are Catholics, and while I cannot identify with their enthusiasm for praying of the rosary it is exceedingly clear to me that John Echaniz is a man of deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a shining testament to the power of God’s love.

Here is the article by John Echaniz I came across today: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/02/05/desiring-everyones-salvation-including-my-sons-murderer/, and below is the video of his address to his son’s murderer.

Here is Michael Echinaz with his parents at his college graduation, two years before his death: