While the city of Leicester was stunned by a tragic helicopter crash that killed 5, including the sponsor of one of the greatest sporting accomplishments in British history, the BK trustees and leader Sister Jayanti were apparently salvating over the Estate of the pilot and co-pilot, Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz, both Brahma Kumari adherents to some degree.
Their home alone was worth over £1.1m.
The incinerated bodies of Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz were found entwinded as they apparent held onto each other at the last moment of the crash.
Eric Swaffer is being hailed as a hero for avoiding what could have been a terrible accident killing 100s at a crowded football stadium by piloting the failing aircraft to an empty parking lot.
The Brahma Kumaris UK were represented by accountant and trustee Sanjay Tulsidas.
I quote in full as reported.
As friends, family and Leicester supporters raise £1,000s in donations for causes Eric and Izabela supported, the hipocrasy of the Brahma Kumaris is highlighted in full. In public stating that they will be "sending light and love for their onward journey", in private sending lawyers letters chasing the couple's property and money.
Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz were passionate vegans, Izabela's Sister is raising money for a vegan charity. Izabela was a winner of the #Polka100 award, an accolade for "exceptional women who inspire the Polish community in Britain". See also here.
Thousands of tributes have been left outside the King Power Stadium where the accident happened.
It is not recorded that the Brahma Kumaris have made any donations to the causes Eric and Izabela supported ... apparently they just want their money and property.
This is pretty much the standard deal for the BKs ... "you give us your time, money and property, we'll give you our positive thoughts in exchange".
Leicester is home of one of the oldest and largest BK centres, a recently purpose built 20,000 square feet factory unit called "Harmony House". At its opening, Sister Jayanti, Director of the Brahma Kumaris for Europe & Middle East said,
One wonders about the Brahma Kumaris understanding of the word "goodness" but we are happy to help them with promote the "truth".
Their home alone was worth over £1.1m.
The incinerated bodies of Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz were found entwinded as they apparent held onto each other at the last moment of the crash.
Eric Swaffer is being hailed as a hero for avoiding what could have been a terrible accident killing 100s at a crowded football stadium by piloting the failing aircraft to an empty parking lot.
The Brahma Kumaris UK were represented by accountant and trustee Sanjay Tulsidas.
I quote in full as reported.
As friends, family and Leicester supporters raise £1,000s in donations for causes Eric and Izabela supported, the hipocrasy of the Brahma Kumaris is highlighted in full. In public stating that they will be "sending light and love for their onward journey", in private sending lawyers letters chasing the couple's property and money.
Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz were passionate vegans, Izabela's Sister is raising money for a vegan charity. Izabela was a winner of the #Polka100 award, an accolade for "exceptional women who inspire the Polish community in Britain". See also here.
Thousands of tributes have been left outside the King Power Stadium where the accident happened.
It is not recorded that the Brahma Kumaris have made any donations to the causes Eric and Izabela supported ... apparently they just want their money and property.
This is pretty much the standard deal for the BKs ... "you give us your time, money and property, we'll give you our positive thoughts in exchange".
Leicester is home of one of the oldest and largest BK centres, a recently purpose built 20,000 square feet factory unit called "Harmony House". At its opening, Sister Jayanti, Director of the Brahma Kumaris for Europe & Middle East said,
Harmony House is a place where each one can feel that their natural intrinsic quality is that of goodness, peace, love and truth.
One wonders about the Brahma Kumaris understanding of the word "goodness" but we are happy to help them with promote the "truth".
Friends of Eric and Izabela.
We write openly to you all today at the anniversary of the tragic helicopter accident in Leicester Football Club Stadium in the UK, October 27th 2018. On that day 5 people lost their lives, 2 of which were our family, our heroes, public heroes - Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz. Many of you around the world may have met them as they travelled and will know them to be amongst the kindest, most generous, compassionate people in life.
Eric and Izabela supported the Brahma Kumaris (BK) organisation for many years in good faith, although that support eroded in the last few years based on how they perceived the BK organisation to be run - they continued to teach their vegan lifestyle and fight cruelty against animals and practice compassion to all.
Unfortunately today the words Brahma Kumaris are only associated with creating sadness and sorrow for our family, for the parents of Eric and Izabela, and many of our friends who are supporting us.
Whilst the family were coping with the loss, dealing with the police, the coroner, the air accident investigation branch (AAIB), and dealing with forensics so their bodies could be identified - we are contacted by a BK Trustee - Mr Tulsidas - claiming that BK had Eric's Will from 1996 to take everything from their estate and basically wanted access to 'the property' which we later found out from neighbours that they had already tried to get into prior to contacting anyone.
We met Sister Jayanti Kirplani, Rosemary and Mr Tulsidas at your centre in London shortly after their contact claiming ownership of all that was Eric's based on a Will that Eric didn’t know existed. It was an awful meeting. Everything was raw for us and yet there was no enquiry as to how the family is, no consideration to the health of Izabela's Sister 9 months pregnant - instead with some quiet nodding - they presented us with a Land Registry document as they had already searched to see what Eric may own that was of any value (clearly the number 1 priority from their perspective), and the second document was one from 1996 - a Will that had been written by BK, was signed by BK trustees and members, on BK premises, with BK as the beneficiary. Other BK members in that house at that period have shared that many were encouraged to sign that document and it was passed off mainly as a document to ensure cremation, some of them refused to sign. They shared that Eric was "targeted" like other 'high value' members due to his career as a pilot and association with some famous people within that. In fellow BK member words -" he was worth more to BK and they pursued him". The very fact that this approach on Will creation goes against everything in the Charity Code of Conduct gives insight to the operations of the administration and leadership.
Perhaps most heart-breaking in that meeting was their statement that they hoped for a 'win win' - the use of these exact words appalled us causing a depth of sorrow that I hope you never experience and leaving that 9 month pregnant bereaved Sister gagging in their hallway in that way where you want to be sick but cannot - this was only 2 days after their charred bodies had been forcibly separated from each other (they were joined arm in arm at the final moment) and removed from the helicopter scene. We left wondering what possible 'win' could ever arise from such a tragedy, and how anyone could look at it that way - regardless of their belief.
Eric clearly did not remember that document as a Will, and talked to family for some time about needing to have one, he eventually made a Will in 2015 as part of life planning with Izabela now they'd decided to 'settle down' in the UK. Eric and Izabela lived with Eric's parents for a period when they came back to the UK, his relationship with his parents was deep, he cherished and loved them both, they considered Izabela their daughter. His intentions were clear that if he wasn't there, Izabela would take care of his mum and dad.
Those instructions, as indicated in other email correspondence with various BK members around that period - do not include any provisions for Brahma Kumaris. His focus was on ensuring the love of his life was secure in the event of tragedy never imagining they would die together. However it was executed and witnessed, there can be no doubt of his intentions in that Will, the document was notarised by him on every page - his wishes are known and clear.
Our family is trying to honour his wishes and those we knew from them both and ensure his mum and dad are cared for - and yet this 'charity' continues to push for cash, assets, estate. Surely this is an insult and contrary to their preaching of mastering the language of love through giving, not taking.
We tried further contact by writing to Sister Jayanti in June requesting a friendly open meeting to discuss intentions and even a compromise, but we were met by return only with letters from lawyers forcing us to engage via lawyers as the only means of communication. This feels like the cold side of reality in their intention to work legally not openly nor amicably. That was June, and even now we have had no meeting, no discussion, only slow exchange from lawyers.
We want to inform you of the truth in this matter and warn that it could happen to you and your family. With the initial publicity from the accident last year - we have received messages from current and ex-BK members regarding being evicted from their own homes when one partner in a couple died or similar, we are certain that Izabela herself would have been treated this way had she survived. It is hard to believe this happens - especially in the UK - but the fact appears to be that BK leadership and administration prioritises wealth and fortune over compassion, decency, and doing 'what's right' in a situation even by their own previously supportive and 'cherished' members.
We sit with sorrow-filled broken hearts from our loss, newspapers and magazines filled the pictures and video of the burning helicopter, the testimony of the brave Leicester policemen recently recognised for their bravery in attempting rescue before the inferno took full force, the headline of "Heroes" for managing to crash the helicopter away from the stadium crowds.
We want their wishes to be met and to enshrine Eric and Izabela in the loving and joyful memories we created together, to do that - we need the BK organisation to live up to their teachings, to step up to the values they expect from all of you - do the right thing, honour their clear wishes, and release them to the family.
We know that many of you loved and remember Eric and Izabela and we are grateful to those that shared your memories and support with us. For those that have been friends to Eric and Izabela, or simply if you value honesty, ethics, and hold high moral standards then please support us by appealing within your centre, to your fellow members and leaders - where ever you are in the world - to step back.
We are continuously creating Karma - we all get to choose what kind of Karma that is.
In sorrow, love and hope.
The Family of Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz.
forericandizabela@gmail.com