After writing about Paula Burnson in this column recently, I
received mail from several of her relatives.
After writing about Paula Burnson in this column recently, I received mail from several of her relatives.
Paula has been sensationalized in the media ever since being accused of participating in the murder of her own mother, notable Gilroy teacher Elvira Burnson, and then committing suicide in her jail cell while awaiting trial. Paula’s former boyfriend, Robert Charles Beckwith, is also accused of this murder.
A close relative of Paula’s is allowing excerpts from her correspondence to be printed here only on condition of anonymity: even her friends and co-workers do not know that she is connected to this murder case in any way. Here, from her unique perspective, she paints a very different picture:
“Thank you for your thoughtful article on my relative, Paula. I have shared it with my family. We appreciate your writing in a balanced way about the human aspects of this tragic story.
“I always have felt that Paula was as much a victim of Beckwith as was my dear relative, Elvira. He exploited them both and had threatened Elvira with murder. My relatives and I tried to get her away from him, but she was afraid or unable to leave.
“Most journalists have focused on the spectacular story of “girl kills Mom.”Two years ago, Paula left Beckwith briefly. I have a wonderful photo of Elvira, Paula, my daughter and I hiking at Rancho San Antonio Park in Los Altos Hills at that time. This picture shows a girl who loved her Mom. I have pictures of her playing the piano at a family gathering and many other wonderful memories of Paula.
“Our family is holding a graveside memorial service for Paula at Gavilan Cemetery. This will be an opportunity for our family to share grief, heal, and also commune with members of Elvira, Charles (Paula’s father) and Paula’s church. Elvira and Charles loved their daughter more than anything, and I believe that Paula loved them. We hope to honor all three at this memorial … Paula’s remains will be interred with her parents.
“Feel free to reprint anything from our correspondence if you think it might help to share these thoughts and issues. It was confusing to grieve for Elvira, be concerned for Paula and deal with detectives and members of Elvira’s family who mistook our motives and accused us of trying to impede pursuit of justice.
“Elvira and Charles would never have wanted Paula to be punished the way that she was. Paula was so intimidated by the hearings. Paula and Elvira and my family spent many years together, hiking, camping, snow sports, dinners. I loved them both.
“The justice system is adversarial, but sometimes there is no absolute bad and good to vanquish. It has been a real struggle of conscience to try to do the right thing, to honor my dear relatives Elvira and Charles and love my dear Paula. Elvira would have understood.”
Last Saturday, Aug. 16, a memorial service was held to remember Paula and her family, a family that once resembled yours or mine, a family whose members once loved each other and laughed together and camped and shared holidays and hikes through the snow. Last Saturday a daughter was laid to rest. The love of a mother was remembered.
May we cherish our own loved ones more deeply and let them know just how much they mean to us.
