Tamara L. Carlson Durand, 52, was killed on November 21, 2021, during the annual Christmas parade on Main Street in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Durand had recently joined the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies and was performing in her first public parade after returning from a trip to Florida earlier that day. She was remembered as an energetic former elementary school teacher, cheer coach, hospice chaplain and volunteer chaplain who was a mother of three and a grandmother.

A red Ford Escape driven by Darrell E. Brooks Jr. entered the restricted parade route that afternoon despite officers’ attempts to stop it. Witnesses described the vehicle accelerating through groups of participants; Durand was struck around the hip, thrown to the sidewalk and suffered multiple blunt-force injuries, including extensive skull fractures and a fractured pelvis. The Waukesha County Medical Examiner determined her death resulted from multiple blunt-force injuries consistent with being struck by a sport-utility vehicle traveling with substantial force.

Durand was one of six people killed and dozens more were injured when the SUV moved through the parade. Brooks fled on foot after abandoning the vehicle and was later arrested outside a nearby residence. Does anyone have personal memories of Tamara or information about her work with the Dancing Grannies or local chaplaincy that could add to her story?