Look at this women, how did she end up like this... I pity her as she looks really unhappy. She should have been home now caring about her child or even better she should have been together with her husband willing to give it one more try attending marriage family counseling. Divorce is not always the best option...

I am April's 29 yr old cousin from VA. Sorry that my grammar is not the greatest in the world but being a full time working mom and raising three boys i just dont have time to go back and check my grammar or spelling . Let alone criticize other people's mistakes. Besides i wrote what i did from the heart and that is all that matters. I wish more people would stop worrying about correcting people and just love people for who they are. I would give anything to be there for April , her children and grandchildren right now but financially im just not able to. Along with having no leave time from work after just having a child in July . Nor is prison a place to bring my kids to visit. Once i am able ( which i hope i can soon ) I will be there to visit her. Again im not saying what she did was right.I was just stating that I love her and im here for her. My side of the family did not hear about it right away because when you kill someone i guess you just dont go running to a phone calling relatives saying hey guess what i did today. Before all of this I had talked to April through emails, christmas cards, videos and pictures she sent of Nicole, her trips w/ Eric when they were married ( white water rafting, San Fransico ,etc..) She even mailed me a care package when my first son was born. I first met Eric when my husband and I stayed overnight with them in GA on our way to Florida for our honeymoon back in 1997. If i sounded upset or rude to anyone im sorry as well. I just know April's oldest daughter has been trying to get in contact with her sister but has either been ignored or just shut out and thats why i said lets think about everyone. Her kids did not pull the trigger.. she did. And they should not suffer. I in a millon years would never think April would do this and so did ALOT of people. I just know she is not some evil woman. I know what she did was evil but deep down that wasnt her and alot of people have wonderful memories of April. I hope she gets the help she needs , i really do. Like you said she has hurt many people. I am also very proud of her son for writing what he wrote. WE LOVE YOU "J"! All i ask is for you is to not concentrate on people's grammar or spelling. Let us look at what matters here and have RESPECT for other people and not turn this into a mud slinging event.

Well, we are certainly sorry if our comments were mistaken as "rude" by Ms. Ulrich's family, which was not the direct intent. The letter from her son is heart-felt and we feed deeply for *everyone* involved, as this action by her not only has an effect on her and her young daughter, but on numerous family members and other children of hers as well.

If we were to base this on earlier comments from someone who claimed to be a member of her family, and their use of grammar and spelling, we could say that this started many years ago by her being raised in a household with a lack of education, and a family that apparently didn't place her well being in high regard - but then, her son write one of the most well-written letters we've ever read, and he was apparently raised by her, so again, it's so hard to judge what exactly was happening in that household to lead to these events. She was after all reported to be in her mid-40s, and even a coming from a background where education isn't a priority, we still learn what is right and what is wrong.

From a comment in her son's letter, we hear that he problems began even "before he was born". This would suggest mental illness, and such that it was, it grew over the years to the point where it ended with this event. If this had not happened, and it continued to grow, what else potentially could have happened? Potential harm to her daughter or the public in general? Instead a much-loved man lost his life, but if you are one who believes that everything happens for a reason (even very bad things), perhaps this event SAVED her daughter or others from something horrible at a later time.

Regardless, it sounds as though her daughter should be placed with Mr. Ulrich's family who sound like nice people, and hopefully she will, and be able to grow in a reasonably normal household with the chance at least of having good memories to help with those she now must deal with. And yes, as much as we feel anger toward Ms. Ulrich for what she did, and while we do hope she pays fully for what she did, we do hope that authorities do investigate to make sure of what caused her to do this. If drugs were the cause, fine, she will pay for it accordingly, but if mental health issues were to blame, she will hopefully get the help she most desperately apparently needs.

It should also be noted that certain types of mental health problems ARE hereditary, and if this is found to be the cause of her problems, her daughter should be closely monitored and tested as she grows to help her avoid any issues such as this as she matures.

I’m April’s son. I can’t even begin to find the words to try and describe to anyone the history leading up to this event. It’s a story that runs far longer than her divorce from Eric in 2004. It begins before they ever met, and before I was even born. I understand the pain and suffering Eric’s family must be feeling right now. I feel it too. I had a lot of respect for him, and I know he was a great father for my little sister. I miss him dearly.

My mother committed a heinous crime, and she’ll suffer the consequences for that. However, lets not waste energy on a negative emotion such as hate. After all, it was hate that drove her to do this. She rests in the bed she dug for herself. Leave it at that.

Instead, let’s devote our attention and energy to where it belongs: the daughter who is going to struggle with the tragic loss of both of her parents. I am unsure as to whom my sister will be raised by, but needless to say this terrifies me. I’ve heard many things from family and many other things from articles such as this. I hope Eric’s family has a place for her, and I support them in obtaining custody if that is indeed the path they choose. I believe that’s the safest pace for her right now both physically and emotionally. The days ahead are shrouded, but I pray that I’ll be able to remain a part of her life.

Eric, I love you and I’ll always remember you. The wisdom and compassion you showed me when we visited my grandmother in VA several years ago will forever remain in my heart.

Nici, I love you, and though I understand much of what you are about to face I don’t understand the latest tragedy. I pray that I and others will have the strength to help guide you along the rocky road ahead, I have ventured there before.

April, Mom, I love you too. You have done many things I’ll never comprehend, and this I don’t know if I could ever forgive. Your path is the darkest of all, but it’s a path you chose. Your choices in life have driven me away from you, and many others who were once close to you. Despite that, I am your son and you my Mother. I pray that you have the strength to accept the consequences of your actions, and that perhaps you will have an opportunity to touch the world in a positive way.

Eric’s family, I haven’t seen any of you for many years, but I haven’t forgotten any of you. I regret never seeing the Christmas tree farm, and I apologize for the comment on the sweater, I was but a silly kid. My heart and spirit is with you through this dark time, but I hope that in the light on the other side we may all meet again. I wish things could have been different. I love you all, and respect you for the strength you possess through all of this.

Nici Ulrich Benefit Account
Bank of Georgia
100 Westpark Drive
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Peachtree City. 770-487-3959

I understand that you are a family member, but really, how close could you all have been if you found out about this 2 weeks after the incident occured? Where was April's "family" when it came to helping with the supposed illness you refer to? I'm sure she wasn't on drugs and I'm sure she didn't have an illness either. She is just an evil person. Some people are just so selfish they can't see past their own nose. Let's face it, she ruined many lives when she did this selfish act. Maybe if her "family" could have been there for her before this happened we wouldn't be writing about this now. Here's another one for ya, have you visited your relative in prison? Trying not to be judgmental but Eric was a good friend of mine and I also knew April. She never mentioned any family.

As a family member on April's side please know that this came as a complete SHOCK to us all as well. I know she loves her daughter greatly. We too can not understand the reasons why she did this , i honestly think only herself knows the real answers. We also care very deeply for Nicole and are very heartbroken to hear of this tragedy. I think many people do forget what the other side family goes through as well. We want to remain in Nicole's life and for her to know we are also here for her today and always. Many of us only found out about this early this week and it sadness us greatly. All i can say is that i seriously doubt it had to do with drugs. I didnt walk in her shoes so i have no right to place judgement or know the real answers to all of this but just knowing her on a personal level , as a family member, i seriously doubt drugs. Maybe an "illness" of some sort but again i can not place judgement or even begin to have any answers to this myself. We love you april and are here to support you. Doesnt mean we think what you did was right but we will always love you.

We live fairly close to where April Ulrich lived in Powder Springs, and we know several of her neighbors. It was not a shock to them that she did something like this. They report her as being rude, almost never leaving her house (they suspected drug dealing), and at times acting very disoriented and very paranoid (again, drugs?). Several men found a home there before AND after her marriage to Eric. We can only hope that bond is denied for this woman, and that she spends the rest of her life behind bars for what she did to her ex, and for the termoil she's going to cause in her daughter's life for all of her years.

We think of all the times we walked our own children by her home, and quiver to think of the monster that was lurking inside and we didn't know it.

Our hearts go out to Eric Ulrich's parents and family, and we truly hope the young daughter is able to be raised by his family in a proper way.