Some said it was one of the most horrific crimes Kern County ever saw.
Today marks the five year anniversary of the Harper family murders.
Joanie Harper, her mother Earnestine, and Joanie's three young children were found murdered in their southeast Bakersfield home.
Now the children's father, Vincent Brothers sits on death row, convicted of the crime.
July 8, 2003, Bakersfield Police received a frantic 911 call to a home near 3rd and P streets.
Inside, Earnestine and Joanie Harper and Joanie's three young children had been shot to death.
For Joanie's brother Eddie, it's still hard to think about.
"Remembering the call and remembering how I felt at that time is something I will always remember."
News of the murders rocked the neighborhood.
Community members held vigils outside the house leaving dozens of teddy bears the Harper children would never get to hold.
Today Marques, Lyndsey, and baby Marshall would be 9, 7, and 5 years old.
"Almost instinctively our bodies and our minds just gear toward that day," said Elaine Byrd, Joanie Harper's sister. "We are more alert, we are more aware. We may become more tearful."
And tearfully they said goodbye.
Earnestine, Joanie, and the three children were laid to rest in the Garden of Peace at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
But no peace came to the survivors. The Harpers were left wondering who murdered their family.
Nearly a year later Vincent Brothers was arrested in connection with the crime.
He was convicted of first degree murder last May.
It was a verdict that brought justice but no resolution for the Harper family.
Have you forgiven him? "Well, in our hearts, we're always ready and waiting to forgive him. We can't forgive him unless he repents. If he's not willing to confess we can't forgive him. But we hold no malice, we are not angry at all with him."
Eddie says it's about celebrating how their loved ones lived, not think about how they died.
"We will remember the laughter, the fun times we had with the children Marques and Lyndsey, and we can just only imagine how it would have been to meet and hold Marshall as well."
And the Harpers say they'll use today to look toward the future instead of the past.
"It's another anniversary that brings us closer to the time we will see our loved ones again when this life is over and we look forward to that."
Vincent Brothers now sits on death row at San Quentin Prison.
His former defense lawyer says it could take years for his automatic death penalty appeal to wind through the courts.
Meanwhile the case has gained national attention from the Discovery Channel and NBC's Dateline.
