CLEVELAND– A grandmother has opened up about a crime that ripped apart her family – and stunned Northeast Ohio.

Danusia Tyburski said her daughter-in-law, Janet Tyburski, is not a cold-blooded killer, but a woman who worked hard to raise her three daughters after her husband died in a car accident 18 years ago.

“When my son was alive, they were all so happy,” recalled Danusia  Tyburski .

Janet Tyburski is currently being held in the Lorain County jail on charges that she murdered her daughter Rachele.  Police also said she then enlisted the help of her 19-year-old daughter Hannah to dispose of the body.

“If you only knew how hard it was to raise three daughters alone, how hard she tried,” said Danusia Tyburski.

Danusia said Rachele had mental health issues that started after her father died and would at times become violent.

The grandmother said Janet did her best to help Rachele and to take care of Rachele’s young son.

But Danusia said earlier this year things got extremely tough when Janet lost her job.

She said Janet told her that she “put a pillow over Rachele’s face.”

“She said ‘I am so sorry,’” Danusia said.  “She didn’t know what to do.”

Danusia said she visits Janet often.  She said during her last visit, Janet had a message for Hannah.

“Please tell her mom is so very sorry, that she put her through all that,” Danusia said.

Danusia said since Hannah is now facing criminal  charges for helping her mother dispose of her sister’s body, she has lost her scholarship at Oberlin.

“She is a lovely and a helpful person,” Danusia said.  “She deserves the opportunity.”

Both Janet and Hannah Tyburski are due back in court next month.

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