On Oct. 3 we received a phone call that is every parent’s worst nightmare. We were in Bridgton. The call was that our son had been stabbed to death. Coming home was the longest ride of our lives.

The next morning we numbly went out to get the morning paper fully expecting that there would be high-profile coverage, as no doubt there should be. We were not, however, prepared for the tasteless sensationalism that greeted us.

We would ask you to, just for a moment, imagine that this was your son. Ask yourself how you would feel anyway and then to read graphic details of an especially savage and brutal killing, resplendent with references to cats skittering about and Halloween decorations fluttering in the background. To the best of our knowledge, Stephen King still lives in town and is gainfully employed and does not work for the NEWS.

This sorry excuse for reporting is more appropriate for something we would see at the checkout at the local Shop ‘n Save.

No doubt you will simply brush this off as our being angry at the situation. We certainly are. We are also deeply disappointed that your “reporter” could ever feel that this disgusting tabloid tripe is responsible journalism. We remain hopeful that someday some sense of professionalism will return to the NEWS. Tom and Bonnie Homstead Glenburn