Wash is still hanging from the clothesline at the Avetisyan house in Gyumri.

They’re mostly children’s garments. One gets the impression that the lady of the house will soon step outside and gather the dried clothes.

 

 

 

Not much else has changed after six members of the household were killed in the early morning hours of January 12.

The memorial candles, flowers and children’s toys left by mourners are still to be seen by the main gate to the house.

Two police officers stand guard outside. Silence reigns inside.

Talking to neighbors doesn’t come easy. They say they’re tired of telling people the same thing – that the Avetisyans were a modest family and well mannered.

It is said that the Avetisyans didn’t interact much with others except for the regular “hello” and “good morning” greetings. People in Gyumri cannot recollect a single bad experience tied to the family over the years.

Armen was the sole son of Seryozha and Hasmik. All three died that fateful day.  

Armen’s wife Araksya, also murdered, was from Lori. Their daughter Hasmik also died that morning. Their six month old son Seryozha Jr. was the sole survivor of the tragic attack for which a soldier from a nearby Russian military base was been accused.

Armen’s sister Aida, also murdered, was the only one with a permanent job. Seryozha and Armen would go abroad for seasonal work.

The bodies of all six were found later that day by Mrs. Hasmik Avetisyan’s sister. A neighbor says it was around 11:15 am and not earlier as initially reported.

“I remember the time well because I left with my husband on an errand. When we returned, around noon, the street was packed with people and the ambulance had taken the surviving child away”

Thousands of mourners paid their respects to the six victims before they were taken from the St. Nshan Church for final burial.