CALGARY- Three of the five young people killed in a horrific stabbing spree last week have been laid to rest.
Zackariah Rathwell, 21, Jordan Segura, 22, Josh Hunter, 23, Kaitlin Perras, 23, and Lawrence Hong, 27, were stabbed to death at a house party early Tuesday morning. Services for Seguara, Hunter and Perras were held on Monday.
Purple balloons were released into the sky, as Perras was remembered at the First Alliance Church.
Her close friend and roommate, Kristy Berg, saw Perras just hours before the tragedy.
“Don’t focus on how she was taken from us. Remember her as she was, and do her memory justice,” she told the crowd.
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Perras’ uncle also spoke at the service, saying “this is the worst week of our lives,” while the pastor shared memories of the legacy the young dancer left behind.
“Kaiti was a beautiful girl inside and out, and there was so much to celebrate about her life,” said Ray Matheson. “Her brother and sister put a tribute together on video, which was very moving and brought back lots of memories. It was great to see a video of Kaiti dancing, and her zest for life and her joy.”
Hundreds of people showed up to say a final farewell to Segura, as family members clutched red and white roses. His older brother shared stories from their youth, adding Jordan was never afraid to speak his truth.
“He made choices on what he believed, not why others believed,” remembered Jullien Segura.
Close friend Jayda Shreenan remembered Segura as “ridiculously handsome,” and told mourners that he was not alone in his final moments.
“Right at the end, he was not alone. He wasn’t alone.”
At Josh Hunter’s memorial, his love of music—specifically, drums—was centre stage. Hunter played in a band called Zackariah & The Prophets, along with Rathwell.
READ MORE: ‘It’s a struggle every day’ says family of Calgary stabbing victim Zackariah Rathwell
A family friend said Hunter’s sunny disposition was unlike anything else.
“Josh’s casual grin was equivalent to most people’s full on smile, batten down the hatches when that boy unleashed the unbridled version,” said Peter Gammell. “When I encountered it for the first time, my speech faltered.
“That smile of his generated enduring memories for all of us. It will not fade with time.”
Archdeacon Ansley Tucker also noted the senselessness of what happened.
“Josh, Zack, Kaiti, Jordan, Lawrence, as well as the unraveling of Matthew will change you forever,” she said.
“If only we knew why, maybe that would help.”
READ MORE: Police work to answer the ‘why’ behind Brentwood stabbing spree
Rathwell’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, while Hong will be laid to rest on Wednesday. 22-year-old Matthew de Grood faces five counts of first degree murder in connection with the deaths, and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
-With files from Reid Fiest, Jenna Bridges and Jill Croteau
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