FORT HALL — The support and compassion of the Pocatello community and Brian Miera will not be forgotten, said Fort Hall Police Capt. Mark Massey — and he plans to pay it forward.

    Massey’s sister, Ann Massey (Peterson) was murdered Nov. 4, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah and just one week later his mother, Velma Massey, passed away. She was preceded in death by his father, Al Massey in 1996. 

    Ann suffered from an advanced stage of multiple sclerosis, was on Social Security disability and had no assets or insurance at the time of her death. She was shot during an apparent home invasion. Massey said Utah law enforcement investigators have identified three persons of interest, but no one has been charged with Ann’s murder.

    Massey was left to cover final expenses for both Ann and Velma. He estimated those costs, including lost wages, travel and final expenses to be nearly $10,000.

    “We’ve had to make arrangements for our rent,” Massey said. “We had to use that money to travel.”

    The Salt Lake City Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped with funeral costs, he said, and martial arts schools throughout the region also rallied to assist Massey, who owns and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Elite Jiu-Jitsu located at Oak Street and Yellowstone Avenue in Pocatello.

    Massey frequently waives fees for students who can’t afford to pay for lessons.

    Miera, didn’t know the Massey family – he learned about their situation on Facebook and decided to take up the cause.

    “It’s as much about letting the families know that the community supports and loves them as it is the financial,” Miera said. “It’s a huge boost knowing that people are pulling for you.”

    A well-known local promoter, he organized “Music for the Masseys.” Set for Saturday, the event starts at 7pm at the National Bar and features local bands Catagory 3, Savin Seymor, Hellfire Club and Tall Tales of Truth for a $5 donation.

    Massey said he was moved by the show of support.

    “We didn’t expect this,” he said. “It was really nice of Brian to do it.”

    Massey said his family was anything but traditional.

    Ann, Massey and a third sibling, David, were all adopted by Al and Velma as young children. Ann left home at 14 and for a while lived on the streets in Oakland and San Francisco, Calif.

    “She (Ann) had a difficult life,” he said.

    In 1991, Massey moved Ann and her youngest son to Utah, hoping to give them a more stable environment. Al and Velma then also adopted Ann’s two oldest children.

    At the time her death, Ann was engaged to Scott Peterson. The couple planned to marry later this year. Ann left three children behind.

    Massey’s brother, David Massey, struggles with mental illness, and is currently homeless and living on the streets in Salt Lake City. He has not yet been located and notified of Ann’s death.

    “I’m extremely grateful to the community for rallying for our family,” Massey said. “We’re going to pay it forward. It’s not going to be something we’ll forget.”

    The event’s venue is also appropriate, Massey said. He and his wife, Karrin, met at the local pub more than 10 years ago when he worked as a bouncer.

    Karrin, a former production assistant at KPVI, the local NBC affiliate, and Massey have been together since and have two daughters. She is now a stay-at-home-mom

    “I’m a police officer now, so I don’t frequent the bar, but it’s nice to know that they still remember us after all this time,” Massey said.