Benefit for children of Loretta Gates

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Niagara Falls Police are still searching for the killer of Loretta Gates, and that lack of closure is something her family struggles with everyday.

Nearly a month after investigators recovered some of Gates' dismembered remains from Hyde Park Lake, her murder is no closer to being solved. Even her adult loved ones struggle to come to terms with her sudden disappearance and the violence of her death.

Her three young children have hardly begun to know her loss. Father of 4-year-old Peter and 5-year-old Mariah, Scott Martin says his heart aches for his little ones.

The people of Niagara Falls are doing their part to support the three children of Loretta Gates.

More than 700 people showed their support by coming to a benefit Saturday afternoon at the Sheridan Hotel in Downtown Niagara Falls for the children.

Gate's family members tell us the kids are coping the best they can, the most difficult part they say is explaining to Peter and Mariah where their mother is.

Martin says, "Peter doesn't understand the whole situation, but Mariah, Mariah really understands. It's tougher than you think, but I got a lot of love and support, so we manage."

"They know their mothers missing, and the oldest one Kyla knows what happened. Mariah and Peter just know that their mom is not home, they can't comprehend what went wrong," says Arthur Gates.

When News 4's Rachel Kingston asked Martin how to even being to explain something like this to a four and five year old, he says, "It's hard but I try to explain it along with my family the best that we can."

Both Gates and Martin told News 4 they were so encouraged to see the turn out of the benefit and saw how much the community cares for them.