Connect with us

Canada News

These are the 11 victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy in Vancouver

Published

on

CBC News, RCI

Des gens se rassemblent à un mémorial à Vancouver le 28 avril 2025, en l’honneur de ceux qui ont été tués et blessés lorsqu’un VUS a traversé une foule lors du festival philippin Lapu-Lapu. Photo: Radio-Canada / Nav Rahi

Dozens more injured in vehicle ramming at Filipino event.

More details have come to light about those who died after an SUV rammed into a crowded street festival in Vancouver.

Eleven people were killed and nearly 30 were injured on the evening of April 26 at the Lapu-Lapu Day event (new window), which was meant to celebrate the Filipino-Canadian community. Police say the 11 people killed ranged in age from five to 65 years old.

Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree (new window) murder in connection with the crash.

Here is what we know so far about those who died.

Maria Victoria Bjarnason

Maria Victoria Bjarnason lost her life in the April 26 attack, according to her cousin-in-law, Rhona Doria, who spoke on the family’s behalf at an evening mass on Monday, May 5, in Burnaby.

Victoria’s son, Helgi Bjarnason, was also injured and is recovering from surgery.

Doria described Victoria as a cherished mother, devoted sister, loving daughter, and true friend whose vibrant spirit was extinguished during the horrific incident.

Maria Victoria Bjarnason, who is referred to as "Victoria" by a family member, died in Saturday's attack.

Maria Victoria Bjarnason, who is referred to as “Victoria” by a family member, died in Saturday’s attack. (Gofundme) Photo: (GoFundMe)

She said the mother, who lived in the Philippines, was in Canada visiting her two sons. She was supposed to return to the Philippines last week.

She will be home but in a casket, said Doria.

Doria said  Victoria’s siblings saw her as a steadfast anchor who selflessly ensured their wellbeing.

Victoria was incredibly strong, endlessly kind, and full of love. She had a big heart that made everyone feel welcome and cared for, said Doria.

She thanked everyone who had donated to an online fundraiser to help the family bring Victoria home and have a memorial service in the Philippines. It had raised almost $110,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Jendhel May Sico

A family member confirmed with CBC News that Jendhel May Sico was one of the victims of the tragedy.

An online fundraiser organized by Sico’s sister, which had raised nearly $130,000 as of May 5, says all proceeds will go toward Sico’s wake and funeral services.

Jendhel May Sico has been identified by her family as one of the 11 people who lost their lives after a man drove an SUV into a crowd at Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day festival on Saturday, April 26.

Jendhel May Sico has been identified by her family as one of the 11 people who lost their lives after a man drove an SUV into a crowd at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival on Saturday, April 26. (Gofundme) Photo: (GoFundMe)

Jendhel was kind-hearted with a beautiful soul. She lived her life to the fullest, reads the fundraiser.

She always had a smile on her face and everyone that knows her would agree that she brought positivity to everyone she met.

Rizza Pagkanlungan

A family member confirmed with CBC News that Rizza Pagkanlungan was another of the victims.

An online fundraiser, organized by a cousin, describes Pagkanlungan as the sweetest soul, kind-hearted, humble and hardworking.

It says she was a loving wife and devoted sister.

Rizza Pagkanlungan is described as a cherished loved one to so many in an online fundraiser for her family. (Gofundme)

Rizza Pagkanlungan is described as a cherished loved one to so many in an online fundraiser for her family. (Gofundme) Photo: Gofundme

The fundraiser had raised over $78,000 as of May 5.

We are doing everything we can to reunite Rizza with her loved ones back home in the Philippines, to lay her to rest with the family who raised her and loved her deeply, it said.

Jenifer Darbellay

Vancouver mother Jenifer Darbellay (new window) has been identified by family and friends as one of the 11 people killed in Saturday’s tragedy.

Her husband, who was injured in the incident, said his physical injuries do not compare to the heartache of losing his wife.

According to an online fundraiser, the couple has two children, aged seven and 15.

Jenifer Darbellay is pictured with her husband Noel Johansen.

Jenifer Darbellay is pictured with her husband Noel Johansen. (GoFundMe) Photo:  (GoFundMe)

Everyone who’s hugged me since then, I felt her,” Noel Johansen said of his wife.

She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself. She thought of herself as small in terms of the reach, and I can tell you, she was larger than life.

Glitza Daniela Samper, Glitza Maria Caicedo, Daniel Samper

Alejandro Samper says he was getting ready for work when he received a call from his sister’s fiancé about a terrible accident.

He would later confirm (new window) that his sister, Glitza Daniela Samper, his mother, Glitza Maria Caicedo, and his father, Daniel Samper, were among those in the crowd when an SUV drove through the festival in the area of Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue.

I’m just destroyed, Samper said Tuesday. My whole world’s taken away from me.

Samper said the family came to Canada in the early 2000s, in part to escape violence in Colombia.

He said his parents were the nicest people who helped many others, and the family was very, very close.

Richard Le, Linh Hoang, Katie Le

Richard Le, 47, his wife Linh Hoang, 30, and their daughter Katie Le, 5, were among those who died Saturday, according to Richard’s brother, Toan Le (new window).

From left: Richard Le, Katie Le and Linh Hoang are seen in this undated picture. Katie Le is the youngest confirmed victim of the crash to have died.

From left: Richard Le, Katie Le and Linh Hoang are seen in this undated picture. Katie Le is the youngest confirmed victim of the crash to have died. (GoFundMe) Photo: From left: Richard Le, Katie Le and Linh Hoang are seen in this undated picture. Katie Le is the youngest confirmed victim of the crash to have died. (GoFundMe)

Toan said Richard had a 16-year-old son, Andy, who had stayed at home that day. Hoang was Andy’s stepmom, Toan said, and had raised him like he was her own.

His entire life just changed overnight, he said, adding that the family is trying to stay strong for Andy.

WATCH | 3 of his family members were killed in car ramming at Vancouver festival:

Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ?
Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ?

3 of his family members were killed in the Vancouver festival attack

Richard Le, 47, his wife Linh Hoang, 30, and their daughter Katie Le, 5, were among those who were killed at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, according to Richard’s brother Toan Le. Toan said Richard had a 16-year-old son, Andy, who had stayed at home that day. Hoang was Andy’s stepmom, Toan said, and had raised him like he was her own.

In a video posted to social media Wednesday evening, Andy announced he would be donating roughly half the money raised in an online fundraiser for him to the other victims and their families.

His fundraiser had raised over $540,000 as of Thursday, and it appears to be closed for further donations.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much, Andy said in the video. I know many other families are hurting too.

Andy said he is living with his grandparents and will continue to do so.

Kira Salim

The community in New Westminster is mourning the loss of Kira Salim (new window), who was described by the city’s school board as a friend and colleague.

Originally from Brazil, Salim was a teacher-counsellor at both Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary.

The New Westminster School Board has identified Kira Salim as one of the 11 people who died after an SUV was driven into a crowd at a Filipino community festival on Saturday evening.

Kira Salim is described by the New Westminster School District as a valued member who made a powerful impact on the school community. Photo:  (LinkedIn/Kira Salim)

New West Pride also paid tribute to Salim, saying they were a wonderful, exuberant contributor to our local community. They were also remembered for being an animal lover, with several pets.

An online fundraiser for Salim’s partner, which had collected over $85,000, says Salim was a person full of light, joy, and was deeply loved by friends, family, and colleagues.

WATCH | Kira Salim remembered by her community:

Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ?
Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ?

1st victim identified in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy

Brazilian media and New Westminster Schools have identified one of the 11 people killed in a vehicle attack on a Filipino cultural festival as Kira Salim, a teacher-counsellor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School.


CBC News with files from Canadian Press and Michelle Gomez

This article is republished from RCI.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle6 days ago

The Real Rich

Margaret Atwood aptly captured this dynamic with the phrase, “Old money whispers, new money shouts.”  Let me elaborate on this...

Headline3 weeks ago

Love in the Afternoon of Life

Love in later life—the 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond—is a thriving, fulfilling reality. It offers companionship, improved well-being, and joy,...

Headline4 weeks ago

Your Most Important Relationship is With Yourself

Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be celebrated only for one day. Love should be celebrated everyday. Valentine’s Day, when expanded beyond romance,...

Headline2 months ago

The 2016 Trend Made Me Reflect On My Past & Present

Like many others, I couldn’t resist joining the 2016 throwback trend.  It was all over social media, with everyone sharing...

Headline2 months ago

How To Be Healthier Realistically

It’s a brand-new year and a brand new you! If you’re like me who had been indulging quite a bit...

Headline3 months ago

Celebrating The Spirit Of Christmas

For many people, Christmas is the loneliest time of the year — it could be due to the fact that...

Headline3 months ago

Fun Facts About Christmas

It’s definitely beginning to look and smell a lot like Christmas! The beautiful thing about Christmas is that it’s mandatory...

Lifestyle4 months ago

How To Keep The Music Playing

You and your partner or spouse have been in a long-term relationship. Somehow, over the years, the fizz has fizzled...

Headline4 months ago

Declutter Your Life

There will be days when we feel like too much is going on around us — too much unnecessary noise...

Health5 months ago

A Healthy Mind Matters

Like the rest of the world, I was deeply saddened and shocked when I read that TikTok influencer, Emman Atienza...