Friends remember murdered Niles couple

NILES — Family and friends are in shock one day after a Niles couple was found murdered in their home. Police haven't said much as they continue the hunt for the killer of John and Carolyn Tarwacki. Police say this murder was not random and there was no sign of forced entry. Those facts have led police to believe who ever killed John and Carolyn Tarwacki, knew them. Police have received a number of leads and on Saturday they were interviewing friends and family, trying to get a better picture of who the couple was and why someone would have wanted to hurt them. "No enemies. No one could say anything bad about any one of them. They were just great people. It is just odd," says friend Tricia Cabanaw. Cabanaw lived just down the street from the Tarwackis and has known Carolyn most her life. Now Cabanaw has to come to terms with this horrible tragedy — losing a friend much too soon. "Her smile and her laugh was one of a kind. And that is one thing none of us will ever forget," Cabanaw said. Cabanaw said Carolyn had a passion for music, working at a music store and traveling to area schools teaching children. Carolyn's husband, John, worked for Downtown South Bend Inc., a nonprofit group, and ran the couple's cleaning business. The couple, who married just more than a year ago, were still newlyweds. Together they had no children, but had a giant Mastiff they loved like a child. "She was the nicest person. And he was the nicest person, they were perfect. It just does not make sense," Cabanaw said. Cabanaw is not the only one wondering why the couple was killed. Saturday night, a group of John's friends and former co-workers gathered to comfort each other. "He always had you look at the bright side. He would always say something to cheer you up and make you look at it as the glass half full," saidHeather Scott, who used to work for John. Police still believe it was one person who murdered the couple. Police are also trying to find a suspicious person seen near the Tarwackis home Saturday morning. That person is described as a white male, 20 to 30 years old with brown hair and medium build. So far, police have received a few calls from residents, but nothing significant. One autopsy was performed Saturday, the other will be performed on Monday. Officials will meet with the couple's family next week to go over the results. A community remembrance A candlelight vigil will take place at 8 p.m. Monday at the Niles Apple Festival grounds at the corner of 17th and Lake streets, near the Niles Airport. Friends, family and the community are welcome to attend.