Here is my bias: I am very close to Howdy and Linda Kabrins, and their daughter Gaby was dear to me. Yet, it is my 30 years’ background in journalism that caused dismay at your coverage of Gaby’s death. Cobbling together bits and pieces of other stories, printing comments without attribution, especially from the rag The Daily Mail, is sloppy journalism.
You don’t have to rely on press releases. There are other avenues to a good story, several available when you went to press. Howdy is well known in Malibu; you could have found him. A few words to our community, which is grieving with the families, is preferable to a tabloid tales.
Your story was several weeks ago. But the trial is ahead. It could prove lengthy. Coverage will be extensive. Details won’t be pretty. It will be “he said,” “she said.” On the defense side, spin has already begun. The prosecutor, based on police investigation and forensic pathology, based on facts, will speak for Gaby. Speculative stories are not fact; those perpetuate the tragedy and violation.
Isn’t it our obligation as a community to be respectful? Rumor and gossip have no place here. Malibu’s coverage will be seen on the world stage.
Please tell the story of Gaby, an incredible young woman. She is gone at a young age, but she ultimately deserves to be a Malibu Times portrait and profile piece. Malibu was a huge part of her life. Her accomplishments through her business, Conexion, were notable internationally. Most importantly, employees and Fortune 500 executives held her in high regard for her consideration, business acumen and sensitivity. She won numerous awards for her contributions to the Latin community. She has a huge and diverse group of friends, and they will tell her real story. Let’s not let Gaby’s final story be that she was a victim. She was a star.
Gaby was kind, compassionate and honorable. In the end, at least in my book, that is the measure of a fine person.
Denise Novoselski