British Columbia

Here's what we know about the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy in Vancouver

More details are coming to light about those who died after an SUV drove through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day Filipino festival in Vancouver.

11 people killed, dozens more injured in vehicle ramming at Filipino event

A wide display of flowers and candles on the ground as people gather around.
People gather at a memorial in Vancouver on April 28, 2025, in honour of those who were killed and injured when an SUV drove through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day Filipino festival. (Nav Rahi/CBC)

More details are coming 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, 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 murder in connection with the crash. 

Here is what we know so far about those who died. This article will be updated as we learn more about the victims and confirm their identities.

Jenifer Darbellay

Vancouver mother Jenifer Darbellay 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. 

A man and a woman are pictured side by side, smiling.
Jenifer Darbellay, right, is pictured with her husband, Noel Johansen. (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 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. 

A family smiles for a picture in a car on a sunny day.
From left: Alejandro Samper, his sister Glitza Daniela Samper, his mother Glitza Maria Caicedo and his father Daniel Samper are shown in this undated handout photo. Alejandro Samper says he lost his sister, mother and father in the alleged attack. (Ho- Alejandro Samper/Canadian Press)

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

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

A family poses for a picture at a neon-lit beach area.
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:

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

1 day ago
Duration 2:55
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.

Kira Salim

The community in New Westminster is mourning the loss of Kira Salim, 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.

A person is pictured in a selfie.
Kira Salim is described by the New Westminster School District as a valued member who made a powerful impact on the school community. (Instagram)

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. 

WATCH | Kira Salim remembered by her community: 

1st victim identified in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy

2 days ago
Duration 5:59
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.