METRO VANCOUVER – About 800 people, including friends and family of 19-year-old Maple Batalia crowded into a Delta church on Saturday morning to say goodbye to the young model, actress, and aspiring doctor.
Clutching flowers and wiping their eyes, the funeral service was open to those who knew Maple and to those who had never met her but were touched by her story and tragic death.
Reporter Jennifer Palma said Maple was being remembered on Saturday as a “key part of the community” who was much-loved and is now sadly missed.
Her three best friends, along with her family and young niece spoke at the funeral saying how much they’ll miss her love, hugs, and joyous personality.
Afternoon prayers will be held at 1 p.m. at Surrey’s Dasmesh Darbar Sikh temple, at 12885 85 Avenue.
The service comes one day after the sister of Maple pleaded with the public to help police find her killer as police released video images of the suspect vehicle (see video below).
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team released surveillance video of a white 2011 Dodge Charger leaving the crime scene.
Roseleen Batalia said the family is still reeling from the brutal murder of Maple on Sept. 28 outside the Simon Fraser University campus in Surrey.
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Maple Batalia was shot several times about 1:10 a.m. as she crossed the parking lot after an evening of studying at the SFU building at 102nd Avenue and 134th Street.
The part-time actress and model was hoping to be a doctor and studying health sciences.
Roseleen Batalia said Friday that her family will never be the same.
“You know how they say when you murder one person, then you murder the whole family and you murder the community. That’s how we are going to be until we get justice,” Batalia said.
After 10 days of reflection, she realizes it was lucky no one else was injured when the gunman opened fire.
“I am so happy that no one else got hurt. There were so many people there,” she said.
Now she’s hoping that more of those people will call the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team at 1-877-551-4448 with information about what they saw.
“There are a lot of people who could have just seen something. You know how SFU has glass windows? Anyone who saw anything connected to the case can just call anonymously and tip the police. Any piece of information can help,” Batalia said.
Batalia’s family earlier told reporters that she was having some problems with her former boyfriend, Gurjinder Dhaliwal, 19.
The day after Maple was gunned down, a warrant was issued for Dhaliwal on two counts of assault for allegedly attacking her and a 19-year-old male at a Tim Horton’s restaurant in Surrey on Sept. 24.
Dhaliwal was released on 10 conditions and is due back in court on Oct. 17. His lawyer made a brief appearance on his behalf Friday.
Roseleen Batalia said she has put her faith in God that someone will face justice for killing her younger sister.
“Violence against women happens on a daily basis, but for it to escalate like this, it is disgusting,” Batalia said. “She was executed almost, you know what I mean? She wasn’t given a fighting chance at all.”
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