7 years ago, no-one would’ve foresaw how something that had such beautiful beginnings would end in such tragic loss!

Peter Gerbrandt and Esther Ludwig met in 2018 and shortly after, found themselves falling madly in love with each other. After realizing that they both shared dreams of living a traditional lifestyle of homesteading and raising a large family based upon biblical values, by August of 2019 the young, excited couple were married.

Peter and Esther would spare little time in growing their family, as on July 6 of 2020, Peter and Esther would find themselves elated as they welcomed little Alex into this world. Being their firstborn son, Alex would quickly become Peter’s pride and joy. Alex would show himself to be tender hearted and sensitive, becoming more of a mommy’s boy while Peter and Esther would prove themselves to be loving and attentive parents.

Less then 2 years later on April 6, 2022, beautiful Alita was welcomed into this world as their first daughter and newest addition into Peter and Esther’s home. Shortly thereafter, Peter and Esther would uproot from their rural location in Northern Alberta where Peter had been involved in farming, relocating to a homestead accessed by a winding mountain road situated about halfway between Clearwater, BC and the pristine Clearwater Lake. During their time in the Clearwater area, little Alita’s personality would begin to shine through, showing herself to be a "wild child”. Aligning closely with Peter’s own robust personality, she would quickly become a “daddy’s girl”. Aside from Alita’s wild child personality, she was quite heartfelt and would express her love to those around her. While Peter was away for work, Alita would be found involving herself in everything that Esther was doing. Some would say that Alita and Esther were twin souls, doing everything together and oftentimes, inseparable.

Over the next 2 years following the addition of Alita into Peter and Esther’s family, many beautiful memories would be made. Now settled in the area of Clearwater, BC, time would be spent in the surrounding mountains with pristine waterfalls and lakes. Just further up the winding mountain road from where Peter and Esther lived, Clearwater Lake would be one of the places where memorable times would be had, holding a special place within their hearts.

Nearly 2 years after moving to Clearwater, BC, on April 30, 2024, little Rafael, Peter and Esther’s second son would be welcomed into this world. Making for 3 children in just under 4 years. Little Rafael quickly showed himself to be a happy child and seemingly was addicted to Peter. He was “daddy’s boy”. When Peter was home from work, it was a common sight to see little Rafael within Peter’s arms.

Amongst Peter and Esther’s excitement surrounding another addition to their young family, there were growing concerns surrounding their ability to have more children. Due to blood incompatibility between Peter and Esther, Alita required medical attention prior and just after her birth. The issue from one pregnancy to the next was not getting any better. Rafael required more extensive medical care and just after birth, needed to have a full blood transfusion. In light of these complications, Peter and Esther would put a hold on having more children while exploring other options as to how their dreams of having a large, loving family would come to fruition.

Only months after the introduction of their third child, Peter and Esther would find themselves relocating back to Northern Alberta, to the original homestead where their family all began. It is at this point that life for Peter and Esther’s family would take some drastic turns. Not long after moving back, sickness would make its way throughout their home. Little Alita, not yet 3 years old, would get what appeared to be pneumonia and was brought to the hospital on December 6, 2024. Immediately following being prescribed Amoxicillin, Alita would develop new symptoms while receiving no alleviation in the illness that was plaguing her. 2 days later, on December 8, Esther and her family had become more concerned about Alita’s deteriorating condition and Alita was brought back to the hospital by both Esther and Esther’s sister, Karina. The attending doctor that evening who had originally prescribed the Amoxicillin, was dismissive to their concerns, spent very little time in observing Alita’s present condition and even though Alita’s symptoms had worsened since the introduction of the prescribed antibiotic, he made no recommendations or changes to the treatment protocol. They were sent home from the hospital that evening and both Esther and Karina were made to feel as if they were merely a nuisance and wasting the doctors time in bringing little Alita to the hospital.

Just over 8 hours later, tragedy would strike!

In the early morning hours on the 9th of December, little Alita would be discovered to have passed away while sleeping next to her mother. Unbearable sadness and feelings of devastation would fill not only Peter and Esther’s home, but the homes of their close surrounding family members. Fortunately for Peter and Esther, they have always been quite close to their many siblings and parents, providing them a support network to hold them up during a crisis such as this. However, given the circumstances leading up to Alita’s passing, feelings of resentment, anger, despair, regret and sadness would be found throughout all of the surrounding family. The never ending “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’s” would plague the entire family, as Alita’s passing was seen to have been completely unnecessary and easily avoidable had she just been given the proper attention and care 8 hours earlier, when she was in the hospital.

During the grieving process and leading up to Alita’s funeral, insatiable questions would arise that would lead to Peter, accompanied by family members, going to the hospital to demand Alita’s medical records. Peter, having the characteristics of being a bold protector and provider for his wife and children, had an incredibly hard time employing self restraint as he was required to be present in the hospital to sign the forms that would allow them access to Alita’s medical records. Medical records that would only serve to fuel further animosity and resentment towards the medical system that failed Alita, as the details found within the records highlighted what could likely constitute a criminal case of “failing to provide the necessaries of life” as well as “criminal negligence resulting in death”. A formal complaint would be made, but everything would be put on hold pending the completion of an autopsy report.

To further highlight the character of Peter and the impact that the passing of his only daughter had on him; Leading up to the funeral, Peter had assisted in digging the hole where Alita’s coffin would come to rest. After the hole was dug, Peter would end up spending the night in that hole, praying and seeking for comfort and clarity while stating, “If my daughter is going to be down in this hole, then I can spend one night in here to make sure it is safe for her.” Peter found it very humbling that he could no longer protect his daughter in the ways that he once was able to.

A beautiful funeral would be held for Alita on December 16, 2024. commemorating the once lively and loving girl who was now laying within an elegant, yet simplistic coffin that Esther and her father, Benjamin Ludwig, had made for her over the previous week.

The next 6 months would be incredibly trying for Peter and Esther as they continued to sort through their feelings of loss and the trauma from losing their only daughter. At times, Peter was quite open about his emotions surrounding Alita’s passing, having moments of breakdown but at other times he would be found shutting down emotionally altogether. Esther would feel as if a large part of her life was gone. There was a void that could not be filled, and every time that she would do something with her two boys, it would highlight the fact that someone was missing. For her the question would arise, “How can I ever not feel like there is something missing”. For little Alex, his concerns would whelm up over whether or not his little sister was ok. During times of emotional breakdown, Alex would require comforting to sort out his concerns and confusion surrounding the fact that Alita was no longer present. To this day, he still has the desire to buy gifts for her such as toys or flowers. As for Rafael, who is yet still an infant, he would become more quiet and reserved as well as clingy and in need of affection.

While the feelings surrounding Alita’s passing were still raw and Peter and Esther were awaiting a completed autopsy report before considering pursuing any action against the medical system that failed their daughter, there was a level of excitement that began to grow. Excitement over a planned camping trip to Clearwater Lake, where deeply held memories of their daughter had been made. They were planning on returning to the area where Alita had spent most of her life. Part of this camping trip would entail having a memorial for Alita in the presence of those friends who were not able to attend her funeral over 10 hours away. The anticipation leading up to this camping trip was building and Peter had vocalized his excitement of going, due to the fact that it was going to honour his daughter, Alita. When vehicle issues arose just prior to Peter and Esther leaving for the camping trip, discussion about canceling the trip arose. Those discussions were quickly quelled with Peter’s insistence that they go while he made alternative arrangements to use his mother’s vehicle.

Arrival to Clearwater Lake would occur on Monday, June 23rd and the camping trip was planned to go until that Thursday. The memorial that took place for Alita was beautiful and everyone had a wonderful time as friends and family gathered. Over those 3 days, they would fish, go boating, kayak on the lake and everyone was having an amazing time. That is until everything turned upside down.

Tragedy Strikes Again!

Over those 3 days, it was said that Peter was in such a great head space. Probably more so than he had been at anytime within the previous 6 months. On the last night of their trip, there were still a few sitting around the fire enjoying each others company when most had already gone to bed. Peter was amongst them, and when all the others wanted to retire to bed, Peter wanted to go one last time on the lake and place floating candles for Alita. Earbuds in and singing as he paddled his kayak a couple of hundred yards out towards the middle of Clearwater Lake, Peter was last seen enjoying those final moments that he would have at a place that held such heartfelt memories for him. Candles were placed and Peter, using his Garmin inReach, began messaging one of his close friends talking about bats being in the air, candles in the distant water and that it was beautiful, unknowing that these messages would be his last words to anyone. Just moments later for reasons unknown, Peter’s kayak would flip, splashing with enough noise to be heard from the distant shore where both his brother and Esther would hear from their tents. Calling out, they received no response from Peter. Within a few brief minutes, Peter’s brother would already have found his kayak flipped over with some of the contents still floating while Peter was nowhere to be found. About 5 minutes later, Esther’s father, Benjamin Ludwig would arrive onto the scene with a motorboat and spotlight. He would arrive to the heart wrenching scene of Peter’s brother in kayak, next to Esther on her paddle board, floating amongst the extinguished candles and Peter’s capsized kayak. Between the sound of desperate sobs, Esther would be heard calling out to Peter while searching the water for any sign of him. All attempts that night to find Peter within those cold, dark waters of the Clearwater Lake would prove futile. Peter was not to be found and prayers for a miracle would commence.

At the time that Peter and Esther would’ve been packing up and leaving Clearwater Lake from what was an amazing trip that provided an environment for much needed healing, Search and Rescue efforts were beginning. At a time when Peter and Esther would’ve been well on their way home, reminiscing about the beautiful time that they all had together, the shores of Clearwater Lake would be scoured, hoping by some miracle that Peter had made it to shore. Over the next 4 days, Search and Rescue efforts would continue, but all to no avail. All evidence led to Peter being overcome by the waters of that icy cold, glacier fed mountain lake. So cold of a lake, that cautions can be found, stating that, “While swimming is possible, it is advised to be cautious due to the cold water”. It is so cold and deep of a lake, that the last time someone had drowned without being immediately recovered, it took 30 years for their body to surface.

Many members of both Peter and Esther’s family’s would find themselves traveling to Clearwater Lake, and over the next few days, assisting in the Search and Rescue efforts. Closure was needed and there were too many unanswered questions. When all resources were exhausted, and the last communication from Peter’s Garmin took place on the lake where it was over 320 feet deep, it looked like the search had gone as far as it could. This is when a miracle did happen and the HEART Team (Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team) out of Manitoba, over 2000 kms away, was able to step in. Funded solely by donations, everything lined up that they were able to travel quickly across a good portion of the country to employ the use of their specialized equipment that would be able to locate Peter. Rather than Esther and all of their family having to abandon the search efforts, being left with the unending questions of what had happened to Peter, the HEART team was able to commence their search efforts on the morning or Monday, June the 30th. By Monday afternoon, Peter’s body had been located 421 feet below the surface of the lake in water that would measure a near freezing 1.5ºC. His body would be gently brought to the surface and that is when it had become abundantly evident that Peter had not intended to flip his kayak. In his struggles to remain above water, Peter had successfully removed his heavy cargo shorts and nearly tore his hoody completely off. Unfortunately the unexpected flipping of the kayak compounded by the shock from the cold water was probably too much for him to be able to handle. Peter’s body was recovered, but now reality would begin to settle in on what life would look like for Esther, young Alex who just turned 5 today, and little Rafael who is still yet an infant.

Now that it has been almost one week since the recovery of Peter’s body, everyone has returned home to make preparations for his funeral. A funeral that will take place on the 15th of July. In a time when happiness once prevailed and much healing was occurring, within just a few moments of time, everything was completely turned upside down. Feelings of loneliness and despair now fill the place where dreams were once shared and actively pursued between a loving couple. And even though Esther and her 2 boys are surrounded by family members that love and care for them deeply, there is nothing that will ever fill the voids created by the loss of both Alita and Peter.

We all experience loss in our lives. Sometimes, we experience losses that are so devastating that we just don’t know how we will get through life, bringing into question what our very purpose for being here is. Sadly, no amount of money or effort will ever bring our loved ones back to us. But during these tragic times that we find ourselves picking up the remaining pieces of our lives, financial assistance can remove one extra burden that may be to heavy to bear. Especially in light of the fact that Peter had been the sole provider for finances within their home. Please, if you find it within your heart to donate, even if it’s just $10, your assistance will help Esther and her two boys during a time when the future is so uncertain. In a time that much healing is needed and assistance is warranted with the immediate costs of Peter’s funeral.

Thank you for taking the time to read Esther’s story. Your financial support, prayers and sharing Esther’s story with your friends and family is greatly appreciated. Also, as life is uncertain and you never know how much time you may have with those that mean the most to you, please take the opportunity to express your love to those who are dear to you.