McCracken was the public works supervisor and he drove by Faber's house to introduce himself. He recalled his first meeting McCracken when he moved to Faro about 14 years ago.
Mayor Leonard Faber, who is leaving office next week, said he knew Honchaiyaphum and McCracken. "She was going to order some stuff for her children. "She was all excited because she finally got her internet hooked up and, you know, she was very happy," she recalled. Rodnunsky's last conversation with her friend was on Monday when she came into the post office.
Honchaiyaphum had two daughters, aged 12 and 15. "If you got her talking about rice, she would have all sorts of stories," said Rodnunsky. Honchaiyaphum was the youngest of 10 children and grew up on a rice farm in Thailand before coming to Canada. "She did a lot of hair accessories, like very bright with ribbon, you know, lots of sparkle and everything," Rodnunsky said. The town has an art society where Honchaiyaphum sold her work. Rodnunsky, who works at the town post office, described her friend as a devoted mother and a talented artist. Police say a man was also found critically injured when they responded to reports of gunfire in the remote community. The first-degree murder charges relate to the deaths of Honchaiyaphum, 42, and Patrick McCracken, 73, court documents say.
Shaw, 61, is charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. Honchaiyaphum was married to Ralph Shaw, who is accused in her death, but the couple separated in August, Rodnunsky said. Rachel Rodnunsky said her friend Saenduean Honchaiyaphum, who was known as Sang, brightened the long winters with her colourful disposition and clothing. Two people who were killed on Tuesday in Faro, Yukon, are being remembered by friends for their quick wit and friendly personalities.