Eileen Mary, sister of Alec Holowka:

My brother Alec had been battling mood and personality disorders throughout his life.
I believe survivors and I have always done everything I can to support survivors, those suffering from mental illnesses, and those with chronic illnesses.
Alec was a victim of abuse and he also spent a lifetime battling mood and personality disorders.
I will not pretend that he was not also responsible for causing harm, but deep down he was a person who wanted only to offer people care and kindness. It took him awhile to figure out how.
Over the last few years, with therapy and medication, Alec became a new person—the same person he’d always been but without any of the darkness. He was calm and happy, positive and loving.
Obviously, change is a slow process and it wasn’t perfect, but he was working towards rehabilitation and a better life.
Alec had been accused of sexual abuse, and in the aftermath of the allegations the Night in the Woods team cut ties with him.
I make a plea that my brother’s death is not used as an excuse to harass anyone else.
Don’t use our grief as an excuse to harass people.
Go outside, take care of someone, and work towards preventing these kinds of things in the first place.