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By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:52 PM on 4th February 2011
A mother accused of murdering her three young children wept as she appeared in court for the first time today.
Theresa Riggi is alleged to have killed eight-year-old twins Austin and Luke and their five-year-old sister Cecilia at their Edinburgh home in August last year.
Riggi, 47, who wore a white dress and jacket and held a handkerchief as she sat in the dock, was at the High Court in the city for a short preliminary hearing.
Tearful: Theresa Riggi at the High Court in Edinburgh today
Police and fire crews were called to a suspected gas explosion at Mrs Riggi’s home in Edinburgh, where they found the bodies of the three children on August 4 last year.
American Riggi faces three charges of murder and another of culpably and recklessly causing a gas explosion.
All the events are alleged to have happened between August 2 and 4 last year at an address in the city, where she and her children were living.
Prosecutors allege that Cecilia and the twins, who are also known as Augustino and Gianluca, were repeatedly struck on the body with a knife or knives.
Riggi is further alleged to have removed a gas hob from its fixings and undone screws from the burner valves, allowing gas to escape. It is claimed she made sure the windows and doors were locked and ignited the gas, causing it to explode.
The charge claims that the fire which followed caused damage to the property, put people in danger and severely injured Riggi.
The case was continued without plea to a hearing on March 7 in Edinburgh.
The children’s American father, oil engineer Pasquale Riggi, 46, spoke of his grief after their deaths. He said: ‘You are paralysed with grief. You are not sure what to do next.
Children’s party: Mrs Riggi, in a family snap with twin boys Austin, 8, and Luke Riggi, 8, and daughter Cecilia, 5.
Family portrait: from left to right, Luke, Cecilia and Austin
Shell employee Mr Riggi, who is from Colorado, and his wife, from California, came to live in the UK 13 years ago.
They lived in Lowestoft, then spent two years in Holland before moving to Aberdeen in February 2007. He last saw his children on July 4 when they were treated to a day out at Aberdeen beach to celebrate U.S. Independence Day
He said: ‘The hardest moment without a doubt was when I first found out. Your life is all about your children, you have plans and you have dreams for them.
‘In one instant, that’s gone.’
‘The reality of it all is difficult to take all at once. You can’t even get your head around it.
‘Paralysed with grief’: Oil engineer Pasquale Riggi and his two sons
‘The difficult part, obviously, is seeing constant reminders on a daily basis in front of you – it’s playing out in the newspapers and on TV. ‘
It’s almost like it’s happening to someone else and you keep asking yourself, “Is it me, is this my family?”. And then the reality hits you that it is.’
Referring to himself and the extended family, he said: ‘We know that once all the shock and all the initial sadness of this subsides, there will be deep pain and suffering that we will all need to seek counselling for.’
He added: ‘We were so blessed to have three happy, healthy and bright and active children.
‘The memories that we have of Austin, Luke and Cecilia will forever provide joy and comfort as we go through the weeks, months and years ahead.’
He said of the his last outing with is children: ‘It was very enjoyable, we were out all day at the beach recreation centre in Aberdeen, playing video games and at various restaurants.
‘It was a nice day, I have fond memories of that day.’
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