Acupuncturist Mom Accused of Killing Her Kids Shunned at Funeral

A Tragic Loss and a Silent Presence

In an affluent Boston suburb, a devastating tragedy unfolded when a mother allegedly took the lives of her two young children. Kai and Ella MacAusland, aged seven and six respectively, were found dead at their $1.5 million home in Wellesley on April 24. The incident shocked the community and left many with unanswered questions.

Janette MacAusland, 49, an acupuncturist, was the one who allegedly strangled her children before driving to her aunt's home in Bennington, Vermont, where she was arrested and confessed to the crime. According to a police report, she stated that she wanted "to go to God together" with her children. Janette has been charged with two counts of murder and has pleaded not guilty.

The funeral for Kai and Ella was held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Wellesley, where family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes. Despite the tragic circumstances, the mother was not mentioned during the service and did not attend, as she remains in custody at the Western Mass Regional Women's Correctional Center in Massachusetts.

Honoring the Siblings

During the service, several individuals shared heartfelt memories of the siblings, highlighting their unique personalities and the love they brought into the lives of those around them. Sam MacAusland, the children’s father, stood before the congregation and shared stories about his beloved children. He spoke about their favorite activities, including dancing, swimming, drawing rainbows and hearts, and more.

One particularly touching moment came when Sam placed his hands in the shape of a heart, a gesture that Kai used to do. "The most wonderful thing I loved about them was the way they helped each other," he said before leading the congregation.

Sam also shared a song that his daughter wrote called "Rainbow Colors." Reciting the lyrics, he said, "Rainbow shine down on my family. Rainbow shine down on my family... Rainbow colors shine down on my family."

Another neighbor, who lived across the street from the MacAuslands, shared how the family had spent time with Ella and Kai just days before their deaths. "Our street is too quiet now. Our lives feel duller. We miss you, and you will live on in our hearts," she said.

The Aftermath of Tragedy

Following the hour-long service, a private burial took place, according to the obituary for Kai and Ella. Both children were students at Schofield Elementary School, where they were well-known and loved by their peers.

After her arrest, Janette was seen with a visible bloody neck injury in her mugshot. She told an officer with the Bennington Police Department, "I strangled them and then I tried to kill myself." She added, "I wanted the three of us to go to God together, but it didn't work."

Authorities in Vermont immediately notified police in Massachusetts, who conducted a welfare check on the couple's home. There, they discovered the deceased children. At the time, Sam was in New Hampshire and was alerted by a neighbor that police were at his home.

The Discovery of the Crime

Dispatch logs revealed the moment police found the children's bodies. An officer reported arriving at the home to find no cars in the driveway and a "rear door unsecured." Upon entering the home, the officer discovered evidence of a gruesome crime. "There's blood splatter," he said, according to police recordings.

As more units arrived around 10pm that night, officers found the bodies of Kai and Ella, who had been strangled to death. The police did not elaborate on how long the bodies had been left before they were discovered.

Sam was desperately calling 911 for answers, with a dispatcher stating, "The father is on the phone now... (He's) uncontrollable. He really needs to know what's going on."

The commander at the scene was trying to connect Sam to law enforcement near him in New Hampshire while investigators searched the grim scene where his children were murdered.

Janette is due to appear back in court in July and has been held without bail following her arrest.