They love their son, their brother, as deeply as they deplore the things he did. Their hearts break in isolation, in hiding and in torment over hideously violent acts they are as unequipped as the rest of the world to comprehend.

Five days after her brother committed the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Cho's sister, Sun-Kyung, issued an agonizing statement to The Associated Press on behalf of the family, who she said "never could have envisioned that he was capable of so much violence."

"He has made the world weep," she wrote. "We are living a nightmare."

In about 420 carefully chosen words, she said her family shares the darkness that envelops the families of her brother's 32 victims.

"We feel hopeless, helpless and lost," she wrote. "This is someone that I grew up with and loved. Now I feel like I didn't know this person."

Raleigh, N.C., lawyer Wade Smith provided the statement to the AP after the Cho family reached out to him. Smith said the family would not answer any questions, and neither would he.

Few relatives of the victims were able to find the will or the words to respond. Wendy Adams, whose niece, Leslie Sherman, was killed, said she felt sorry for the Chos.

"I'm not so generous to be able to forgive him for what he did," she said. "But I do feel for the family."

Sun-Kyung Cho apologized for what she called her brother's "unspeakable actions."

"We pray for their families and loved ones who are experiencing so much excruciating grief," said the 2004 Princeton University graduate, who works as a contractor for a State Department office. "And we pray for those who were injured and for those whose lives are changed forever because of what they witnessed and experienced.

"Each of these people had so much love, talent and gifts to offer, and their lives were cut short by a horrible and senseless act."

Authorities are in frequent contact with Cho's family, but have not placed them in protective custody, said Assistant FBI Director Joe Persichini, who oversees the bureau's local Washington office. Authorities believe they remain in the Washington area, but are staying with friends and relatives.

Persichini said the FBI and Fairfax County Police have assured Cho's parents that they will investigate any hate crimes directed at the family if and when they ever return to their Centreville home.

The family's statement was issued during a statewide day of mourning for the victims. Silence fell across the Virginia Tech campus at noon and bells tolled in churches nationwide in memory of the victims.

At Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, a memorial service was held for Kevin Granata, a 45-year-old engineering science and mechanics professor.

Some 600 people packed the pews and stood along the walls while friends described Granata as a devoted father to three children, a beloved professor, a world-class researcher and a humble man of good humor.

"It's a hard day, but a day of trying to celebrate his life and his legacy," said Pastor Alex Evans.

The legacy Cho left — particularly through a package of photos, video and documents he mailed to NBC between the killings — is one of madness, rage and deeply disturbing images of violence.

"We have always been a close, peaceful and loving family," his sister said. "My brother was quiet and reserved, yet struggled to fit in. We never could have envisioned that he was capable of so much violence."

She said her family will cooperate fully and "do whatever we can to help authorities understand why these senseless acts happened. We have many unanswered questions as well."

Cho's name was given as "Cho Seung-Hui" by police and school officials earlier this week. But the South Korean immigrant family said their preference was "Seung-Hui Cho." Many Asian immigrant families Americanize their names by reversing them and putting their surnames last.

"Based on this sorrowful statement, it is apparent that the family grieves with everyone in the world," Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said.

While Cho clearly was seething and had been taken to a psychiatric hospital more than a year ago as threat to himself, investigators are still trying to establish exactly what set him off, why he chose a dormitory and a classroom building for the rampage, and how he selected his victims.

"The why and the how are the crux of the investigation," Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. "The why may never be determined because the person responsible is deceased."

During the campus memorial, hundreds of somber students and area residents, most wearing the school's maroon and orange, stood with heads bowed on the parade ground in front of Norris Hall, the classroom building where all but two of the victims died. Along with the bouquets and candles was a sign reading, "Never forgotten."

"It's good to feel the love of people around you," said Alice Lo, a Virginia Tech graduate and friend of Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, a French instructor killed in the rampage. "With this evil, there is still goodness."

The mourners gathered in front of stone memorials, each adorned with a basket of tulips and an American flag. There were 33 stones — one for each victim and Cho.

"His family is suffering just as much as the other families," said Elizabeth Lineberry, who will be a freshman at Virginia Tech in the fall.

President Bush wore an orange and maroon tie in a show of support. The White House said he also asked top officials at the Justice, Health and Human Services and Education Departments to travel the country, talk to educators, mental health experts and others, and compile a report on how to prevent similar tragedies.

Seven people hurt in the rampage remained hospitalized, at least one in serious condition.

Robert Jeffers of Idaho Falls, Idaho, lost friend Brian Bluhm to Cho's rage. He had only one thing to say about the family's statement: "I hope people can see that the right action to take from all of this is love, not hate."