BELL COUNTY, Texas — Wayne and Karen Rourke made funeral arrangements for their son in early October.
Wayne Rourke said it was a heartbreaking duty he never expected he'd have to carry out.
"We cry everyday and I don't think the pain will ever end. It seems like a dream we can't wake up from," he said.
Michael Vanlandingham was found in a pile of trash three months ago, after he was shot in the head twice, and his body set on fire, the Bell County Sheriff's office said.
"Well, this is our first Christmas without our boy," Wayne Rourke said. "It's gonna take a long time for us to get it out of our hearts that we don't have our son here no more."
The Bell County grand jury indicted two men on capital murder charges related to Vanlandingham's death on Wednesday.
Owen Free III and Dana Francis Walcott were arrested in late September on murder charges related to Vanlandingham's death, the Bell County Sheriff's office said.
The grand jury's upgraded charges have the suspects facing life in prison without the possibility of parole, as well as the death penalty.
Wayne Rourke said although the indictments won't bring their son back, he and his wife are glad the case is moving in the right direction.
"When they told me, it was a relief that the charges went up to capital murder," he said. "I feel like there's been a little bit of justice."
Police said they believe the murder was drug related.
According to an arrest affidavit, the suspects, Free and Walcott, killed Vanlandingham because they thought he was cooperating with police.
"I know they're cowards and I hope God takes care of them and makes them suffer for what they've done to my son," Wayne Rourke said.
Wayne Rourke said his son wasn't perfect, but that he was a loving person, a military man and would never hurt anyone.
"Michael loved to cook and work on cars. He would give his shirt off of his back for you and he was just loved everywhere," he said.
The family is now focusing on the good memories and pursuing justice for their son, while turning to a higher power to help them heal.
"We just hope our son rests in peace, he's gone to heaven and we ask the Lord to please keep him safe," Wayne Rourke said.
The funeral was held on Oct. 11 at Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. Vanlandingham was laid to rest at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
To help the family with funeral expenses go here.
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