Statement from exFamily.org Coordinators
January 14, 2005 at 23:09:02

The coordinators of the exFamily website wish to extend their sincere condolences to those of you who knew and loved Ricky Rodriguez. His recent suicide, together with the murder of Sue (Angela) has shocked all of us.

Ricky was the son of Karen Zerby, the leader of the religious group known as The Family (aka the Children of God). Ricky was well-known and loved by other ex-members and we rejoiced when he was able to leave The Family to get a fresh start on life. His suicide, therefore, is a source of deep grief.

We also wish to extend our condolences to the Kauten family, whose daughter, Susan Joy Kauten, was murdered. (Susan changed her name to Angela Marilyn Smith in 1993.) We hope that your family will find peace and that the ongoing investigation will give us all the answers we are looking for as to what led up to this terrible tragedy.

We are shocked by what has happened and do not condone or believe in the use of violence to bring about justice. May these events never be repeated.