Latest news with #Lapu-LapuFilipino
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Noel Johansen's Wife Jen Killed in Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Car Attack
Originally appeared on E! Online Noel Johansen's family is mourning a tragic loss. The Hallmark star shared that his wife Jen Darbellay was among the 11 killed after a man drove an SUV through the Lapu-Lapu Filipino festival in Vancouver April 26. She was 50. "It hit us before we knew," Johansen told The Associated Press in an interview published April 29. "I was falling in slow motion, trying to save my head from smashing in the pavement. It's like a giant tidal wave." The Harvest Love actor and their son Ford, 15, and daughter Darby, 7, survived the attack. On April 27, Vancouver police confirmed that a suspect, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Following the incident, which also left 32 injured, Johansen reflected on the heartbreaking news. "What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what's inside my heart is broken," he told reporters at the scene of the crime April 28, per Global News Canada. "Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident." More from E! Online Full House's Jodie Sweetin Addresses Candace Cameron Bure Feud Rumors Mathew Knowles Makes Rare Comment About Ex Tina Knowles Why Gwyneth Paltrow Thinks Her Ski Crash Trial Was 'Ridiculous' He admitted that his wife, an artist, "never celebrated herself in her life." "She never thought of herself," he said. "She thought of herself as small in terms of reach. I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her." "So, don't be small in life," he continued, "be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have and please remember us who went through this." Darbellay was also a painter, seamstress, illustrator and costume designer, according to her biography. As the blurb noted, "There has not been a year of her life that she was not a creative artist, she has been very blessed to always work in the arts." Over her career, she earned multiple awards for her costuming and began teaching art at The Luminous Elephant in Vancouver last fall. The studio expressed its condolences following her unexpected death with a heartfelt message about her impact in the community. "One of the deepest longings of the human soul is to be seen," the April 30 Instagram post began. "Our dearest luminous instructor, friend, mother, wife, artist, humanitarian - Jen, saw everyone. She encouraged every single student in our studio over a threshold to expressing their deepest longings, voices, sorrows, joy in their art and therefore their life." "She volunteered absolutely everywhere for her children, her community and those quietly privately struggling," the message continued. "Always with the biggest smile in a very very soft way." In fact, the studio received emails "begging" them to let Jen teach another course because "she was pure love and joy and so entirely nurturing." Simply put, "Everyone adored Jen." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hallmark Actor's Wife Killed in Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Tragedy
On April 26, a man drove an SUV through the Lapu-Lapu Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Eleven people were killed and dozens more were injured. According to ABC News, the victims were nine females and two males, ranging in age from 5 years old to 65. Among those killed was Jen Darbellay, 50, a painter who is married to actor Noel Johansen. Johansen has appeared on, Psych, Supernatural, Fargo, The Good Doctor, and several Hallmark Channel shows or movies, including Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters, When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Harvest Love, Reunited at Christmas and Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery. Johansen has also done extensive voiceover work for animated shows. Darbellay and Johansen share two children: son Ford, 15, and daughter Darby, 7. Both Johansen and Darby were also injured in the Lapu-Lapu tragedy. At a vigil for the victims, Global News Canada reports that Johansen addressed the crowd while on crutches, choking back tears as he said, "What you see here is 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 continued, "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 for any of you who know her. 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 who went through this.' 'Jen and Noel, they're just the sweetest, kindest people I know,' family friend Michael Daingerfield Halltold the Vancouver Sun. 'Just another level of kindness." According to the Vancouver Sun, Darbellay had a Master's Degree in fine arts in theatre design from the University of British Columbia, and at the time of her death, she was in the process of organizing face-painting lessons for the children at Darby's elementary school for their end-of-the-year party. A GoFundMe has been set up by Hall to help support the family moving forward. "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). This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable," wrote Hall He continued, "I know that his work will undoubtedly be affected, and I would really like for him and his family to be supported during this time. There will be many costs, including airfare for immediate family, food, child care, counselling, funeral expenses, etc. 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. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgment, and had the sweetest voice." Johansen's colleagues have been posting the link to the GoFundMe, including the When Calls the Heart costume designer, and actress Jill Morrison.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Attack or accident? Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival SUV incident raises questions
Multiple people were killed and several others injured after an SUV rammed into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Filipino street festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday evening. A suspect has been arrested. While the motive behind the incident remains unclear, speculation is growing on social media about whether it was an accident or a deliberate attack. Canadian MP Don Davies referred to the event as an 'attack' in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter). 'Just heard the tragic news of the horrendous attack at the Lapu Lapu festival. I am praying for all the victims and their families," he wrote in a post on X. The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday during the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, a Filipino cultural celebration. Vancouver Police released a statement confirming the casualties and the arrest of the driver 'A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival,' Vancouver Police said in a statement. 'The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.'
