‘Time Has Stood Still for Us,’ Huntington Family Remembers Grandson After Guilty Verdict in Neglect Case

The heartache of losing a child is unimaginable. For the family of 8-year-old Theodore Cochrane, the pain has become a permanent part of their lives after Matthew Dirig was found guilty of neglect in connection with the young boy’s tragic death.

A Family Shattered

The family’s anguish has been compounded by the fact that their beloved Theo’s life was taken under horrific circumstances. Theo’s grandfather, Chad Cochrane, recalled how the little boy was the light of their lives. “He was the light of our lives; he was the center,” he said, adding that the loss of Theo has left a gaping hole in their hearts. His grandmother, Chasidy Masters, shared the same sorrow, expressing disbelief over the tragedy. “Why would anyone take the life of an 8-year-old child? Why?”

Theo’s life was stolen from him on November 22, 2022, when his lifeless body was discovered in his bedroom, a zip tie around his neck. The boy’s family was left to mourn, clinging to the precious memories they had of him.

  • Devastating loss: 8-year-old Theo Cochrane found dead in his bedroom.
  • Grief-stricken family: The Cochrane family left to cope with the unimaginable.
  • No remorse: Dirig showed no signs of regret for the boy’s death.

Theodore Cochrane family grief trial

A Troubling Investigation

Theo’s mother revealed that her son had previously attempted suicide, but his family rejects the idea that Theo would have taken his own life. “It was very difficult to hear this stuff for various people talk about Theo’s mental health. Because that was not Theo,” Chad Cochrane explained.

The investigation revealed troubling details about Theo’s final moments. At the time of his death, Dirig, his mother’s boyfriend, was at home with him. Police found the boy’s bedroom door locked from the outside, and a leather jacket with fresh scratch marks was discovered, alongside purple medical gloves in the pocket.

There was no remorse shown by Dirig, with Masters describing his behavior as cold and indifferent. “There’s never been an ounce of remorse from Matt,” she said. “There’s never been a single tear, there’s never been an I’m sorry.”

The Verdict and Sentencing

After months of painful legal proceedings, a jury found Dirig guilty of neglect in connection with Theo’s death. The verdict came down on the anniversary of the boy’s death, offering a bittersweet form of justice to the grieving family.

The following month, Dirig was sentenced to 40 years behind bars. For the Cochrane family, the sentence doesn’t feel like enough. “40 years is not enough,” Masters said, adding that no amount of time could ever truly bring closure to the loss of their beloved Theo.

“Is the trial all done? Is that closure? Getting the 40 years is that closure? Yes, it is. But I don’t think there will ever be closure for us for the rest of our lives,” Chad Cochrane shared.

Despite the legal outcome, the family continues to grapple with the emotional aftermath. The pain of losing Theo is a wound that won’t heal, but the memories they hold onto offer some solace.

“‘It’s all about the memories,’ that was something that Theo said all the time,” Masters said.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *