CALGARY – A mass memorial for the five victims of a horrific mass murder in the community of Brentwood was held at the University of Calgary on Wednesday.
Zackariah Rathwell, 21, Jordan Segura, 22, Josh Hunter, 23, Kaitlin Perras, 23, and Lawrence Hong, 27, were stabbed to death at a house party on April 15th.
Hunter, Hong and Segura all studied at the University of Calgary, while Perras studied at Mount Royal University (MRU) and Rathwell attended the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).
Alberta Premier Dave Hancock was among the dignitaries attending Wednesday’s service, held at Jack Simpson Gymnasium. Prime Minister Stephen Harper also issued a statement, saying in part:
“It is my hope that the tremendous outpouring of love and affection we have witnessed for these young people –including at today’s memorial ceremony –will help the families and all others deeply affected by these homicides to begin healing.
“…These young people, who were taken from us so suddenly, will live on in our hearts, our memories and our prayers.”
Officials hoped it would bring together the students, faculty and staff of ACAD, MRU and the University of Calgary as well as the family and friends of the five victims.
Scholarships and trust funds were set up in honour of each of the victims:
- Kaiti Perras Love of Dance Scholarship Fund
- Zackariah James Rathwell Trust Fund
- Joshua Hunter Scholarship in Business
- Lawrence Hong Scholarship in Urban Studies
- Jordan Seguara Scholarship in Religious Studies
The man accused in the murders, 22-year-old Matthew de Grood, has been ordered to undergo a 30-day assessment to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.
He is scheduled to return to court in May.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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