Dylan Hockley

March 8, 2006 – December 14, 2012

Nicole and Ian Hockley say they cling to the comfort of knowing that the
six-year-old they lovingly called “Mister D,” a special needs child was being cradled by the “amazing” aide Anne Marie Murphy.

“Everyone who met Dylan fell in love with him. His beaming smile would light up any room, and his laugh was the sweetest music. He loved to cuddle, play tag every morning at the bus stop with our neighbors, bounce on the trampoline, play computer games, watch movies, the color purple, seeing the moon and eating his favorite foods, especially chocolate. He was learning to read and was so proud when he read us a new book every day. He adored his big brother Jake, his best friend and role model,” his family wrote on a website started in his honor. [1]

Pete Samson, US Editor, in Newtown, Connecticut, 12/19/2012

The couple said: “We cannot speak highly enough of Dawn Hochsprung and Mary Sherlach, exceptional women who knew both our children and who specifically helped us navigate Dylan’s special education needs. Dylan’s teacher, Vicki Soto, was warm and funny and Dylan loved her dearly. There are no words that can express our feeling of loss. We will always be a family of four as, although Dylan is no longer physically with us, he is forever in our hearts and minds. We want to give sincere thanks and appreciation to the emergency services and first responders who helped everyone on Friday, December 14. It was an impossible day for us, but even in our grief, we cannot comprehend what other people may have experienced. The support of our beautiful community and from family, friends and people around the world has been overwhelming and we are humbled.” [2]

The Hockley family moved to Newtown in 2010 from England. Nicole Hockley is American and Ian is British. They bought a house on the same street where Adam Lanza lived. Their sons, Dylan and Jake both attended Sandy Hook Elementary School where Dylan thrived. Both boys, according to their parents flourished at Sandy Hook. Dylan, whose best friend and role model was Jake, played tag every morning at the bus stop with his neighbors. He enjoyed jumping on the trampoline and played computer games. His favorite color was purple and he loved chocolate. He was so proud that he was learning to read. Dylan loved his teacher’s aide, Anne Marie Murphy. Her picture was on the refrigerator. Nicole and Ian “took great comfort in knowing that when Dylan died, he was wrapped in Murphy’s arms. She also died.” [3]