Update : Conviction in Henry case
I n the Summer 2012 inaugural issue of The Well Magazine , we featured the story of the murder of Nova and Ava Henry and Yolan Henry ’ s mission to teach and save others about domestic violence to prevent tragedies like the murder of her daughter and granddaughter . At the time of publication , Frederick Goings was awaiting trial for the 2009 murders of Nova and Ava . Goings was convicted in February of this year and sentenced to life in prison in April .
The Well Magazine spoke with Yolan Henry after the sentencing to see where she is in the healing process .
Now that the trial is over how do you feel ? I wish I could say at peace but I know there are some things that are still pending . At peace that there has been a conviction and he has been sentenced . There are still appeals . It ’ s not a relief . No matter what , my daughter and granddaughter are not here . I ’ ll be glad if I never have to go to the court again . There ’ s still no closure though . Not yet .
What was the trial experience like for you ? It was having to relive the whole situation all over again . It was gut-wrenching , but we had to sit there and endure it . You ’ re trying to remain in your place without being tempted to step out and snap off .
28 The Well Magazine / Spring 2013
Where are you in the healing process ? I accepted the day I discovered them that they had passed . My healing to me is just still trying to make it to the next day . Some people feel like you should be past this now , why are you still talking about it , get a real job . But this is something that fulfills me and keeps me going .
Where do you go from here ? I ’ m trying to put the pieces of my life back together another way . I try to just keep going and build on what I ’ ve been doing for the last four years . Sharing her story . My bigger look is to have an organization where I ’ m not working by myself . You get discouraged and you want to stop , but I just keep going .
For more information about Yolan Henry ’ s organization , Family and Friends Against Violent Acts ( FAVA ), contact her on Facebook at Loni House or call 773-984-2926 .