Book Review: Where the White Dove Flies

Book Review: Where the White Dove Flies

Book Review: Where the White Dove Flies

Non-Fiction

Where the White Dove Flies: The True Story of the Homicide of Whyatt James Sander

Monica Bliss Ockwig

2010

Xlibris

ISBN: 978-1-4500-2380-1

Pages: 49

A grandmother, who never met her three-and-a-half month old grandson, writes about his murder in Where the White Dove Flies. In this true story about the death of Whyatt James Sander, author Monica Bliss Ockwig relives the suffering and revelations her family experienced as a result of their great loss.

"Nikki killed Whyatt (p.7)." Ockwig learned of her grandson's death from her son, Jake, after responding to the frantic message he left on her voice mail. He told her that Whyatt had been killed and his mother, Sheena, badly injured when a van driven by the author's niece backed into the tent Sheena and Whyatt were in during a Fourth of July camping trip in Minnesota.

Ockwig recounts leaving her life in Alaska to return to her home state to attend the funeral. She guides the reader through the emotional anguish that she, her son and his girlfriend, as well as their friends experienced while arrangements were made for Whyatt's visitation service and funeral. The author was as overwhelmed by the outpour of love and support from the community as she was saddened and frightened by the depth of anger Jake's friends felt towards Nikki.

As Nikki's initial hearing and later her anticipated plea bargain hang over the family, the author discusses her niece's history of drug use, multiple drug-related legal problems, and the riff that divides her side of the family and her sister's (Nikki's mom).

Ockwig becomes an advocate for her son and Sheena and also for her grandson by helping Jake recall the events that took place leading up to Nikki backing into the tent. She builds a website that memorializes Whyatt's short life, and she writes a powerful witness impact statement that helps add perspective to Minnesota's case against Nikki.

The author writes candidly about her worldview as she dissects the history of animosity between Nikki and Jake and the possible motive behind the action that took her grandson's life. She also offers her opinion about what should happen to drug addicts who repeatedly find themselves in legal trouble, offering examples for why she believes long-term residential treatment is more beneficial than serving jail time. By publishing this book, Ockwig has not only taken the opportunity to have her say about her grandson's death, but she has also shined a light on the importance of victims and their families having a voice in the justice system.

Where the White Dove Flies is a sad but lovely story about the power and impact a single life can have on a family, on a community, and on society; even when that life is short lived.

Melissa Brown Levine

for

Independent Professional Book Reviewers

www.bookreviewers.org

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