In a move which caught family members of the victims by surprise, Guevara Wilson Clorina has pleaded guilty to murder charges.

On Wednesday, Clorina admitted to killing his cousin’s wife Chona Manzano and her son Gabrial inside the family's Evanston home on May 16, 2013.

Erwin Manzano, Chona's husband and Gabrial's father, embraced the news of the plea.

"“I feel better. It’s like a big relief to me,” said Erwin. “We don’t have to go through the trial because that would have been hard for us. It would have been like starting from the beginning.”

The single father of two girls feared a lengthy trial would force him to relive the events of May 2013 while potentially jeopardizing his new job.

Erwin and his daughters, a 17-year-old and a soon-to-be 12-year-old, continue to move forward following the attack which shattered the family.

"We have to accept it. We can't bring them back."

Clorina’s lawyers agreed to a plea deal with the Crown to avoid putting the family through the trial, which was scheduled to begin next week.

As part of the deal, both sides have proposed that Clorina serve a sentence of 35 years in jail without parole.

Clorina also pleaded guilty to charges of sexually touching a minor, charges which stem from a sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl over a three-year period.

Documents released by the court suggest that Manzano may have learned about the inappropriate relationship between Clorina and the victim prior to her death.

Erwin says he continues to hold anger towards Clorina but he takes comfort in the fact his wife's and son's murderer will pay for his actions.

A date for a sentencing hearing will be set next week.