Hallmark star Noel Johansen has shared his heartbreak after losing wife Jenifer Darbellay in the car ramming attack of a street festival in Vancouver, Canada.
It’s reported at least 11 people have died after a car drove into the crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival on Saturday.
Johansen, who stood on crutches, was visibly emotional and fought back tears as he attended a vigil for victims on Monday, praising his wife, who died at the age of 50, and saying his “heart is broken”.
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In a video shared by Global News Canada, the actor addresses the crowd and tells them: ”What you see here is just an injury that means nothing to me, because what’s inside my heart is broken.”
“Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident.”
He went on to say Darbellay “never celebrated herself in her life”, adding that she was “larger than 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 for any of you who know her,” he said.
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“So don’t be small in life, be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have and please remember us that went through this,” he finished.
A suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder after allegedly driving an SUV through the crowd. Lo is said to have a history of mental health issues.
The victims killed at the Filipino heritage festival were between the ages of five and 65.
Johansen’s wife was reportedly a costume designer and their daughter Darby, seven, is believed to have been injured in the attack, as well as Johansen.
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A crowd-fundraising page has been set up for the actor and his family following the horrific incident to help with funeral costs and counselling.
“I am literally in shock as I write this – but I want to do something for Noel and his 2 children Ford (15) and Darby (7),” his friend and business partner wrote on the page.
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“This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable.”
Remembering Darbellay, they added: “Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife.”
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