A former nursing student at Weber State, Assistant Professor Cynthia “Cindy” Candland was described as a model educator by her colleagues in Weber’s nursing program.
“She was a student that wanted to be a teacher early on,” said Dr. Susan Thornock, the chair of the school of nursing. “She always wanted to step forward and take the bull by the horns.”
Her body was discovered Friday evening with the body of her estranged husband, Richard Candland, at their Eccles Avenue home in Ogden.
In what police are calling a domestic violence murder-suicide, Richard Candland, 52, allegedly shot at his daughter and then killed his wife, Cynthia, before turning the gun on himself.
The daughter was transported to a medical facility to receive treatment for a gunshot wound on her hand.
“Our condolences go out to the Candland family,” Ogden Police Lt. Danielle Croyle said.
Melissa Wayment, the shelter manager of Your Community Connection (YCC) in Ogden, said domestic violence like this is far too common. One in three women and one in four men will be victims of domestic violence in their lives.
“It’s quite a large problem,” Wayment said. “Really when you think about domestic violence, it affects all areas of a person’s life, which affects the entire community.”
Most cases of homicide like this are domestic, according to Wayment, who added the best prevention for domestic violence is to spread awareness of a victim’s options.
“It can be a really difficult thing to leave an abusive relationship,” Wayment said. “If (victims) can get that kind of intervention, and we can get to people soon enough, we can get them out of the cycle of abuse.”
The community should also pay attention to warning signs and speak up about potential situations, Wayment said.
The YCC has facilities to house men, women and children who are victims of domestic violence, with other services to help victims. Their hotline, available 24 hours a day, is (801) 392-7273.
Cindy Candland worked in the intensive care unit at McKay-Dee Hospital, bringing her experience from there into the classroom to help the next generation become good nurses, according to Thornock.
“She was a gentle, sweet person, and she was an advocate for her students,” Thornock said. “She’s going to be missed, I can say that.”
In light of the shooting, faculty members who knew Candland have stepped forward to help in her absence, Thornock said.
“Her comrades want to help. She was such a beloved professor,” Thornock said. “We’re going to have it covered so hopefully we don’t miss a beat.”
Many of Candland’s students are taking it hard.
“Right now they’re very, very sad,” Thornock said. “They don’t know how to deal with it at this point.”
Thornock has set up counseling for Candland’s students to help them through the grieving process.
The School of Nursing administration expressed the loss to the university in a statement released to all faculty.
“We have lost a beautiful and valiant person and educator with the tragic death of Cindy Candland,” the School of Nursing administration said in a statement. “Cindy has been a model educator and friend to many over the past few years and her loss is devastating to all.”
Plans for a memorial service have not yet been finalized.
