A Port Coquitlam high-school graduate who died of her wounds in a Burnaby stabbing is being remembered as a humble student.
Melissa Blimkie was identified as the victim of the fatal incident at Metrotown last month, when the 25-year-old was taken to hospital and later succumbed to her injuries.
She attended Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary from 2010 to 2014.
Len De Julius, principal of the independent institution, says the school's community is saddened and mourning Blimkie's death.
"She will be remembered as a wonderful student who always put others first," he added in a statement to the Tri-City News.
"Melissa will be greatly missed and never forgotten by our entire community. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Blimkie family as they mourn the tragic loss of Melissa."
After graduating, Blimkie went on to study at Simon Fraser University (SFU).
On Dec. 19, 2021, the North Vancouver resident was found with stab wounds in a parkade near Metropolis at Metrotown Walmart when first responders arrived around 11:40 a.m.
Everton Downey has since been charged with second-degree murder, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said in an update from Wednesday (Jan. 19).
The 31-year-old man and Blimkie were said to be in a relationship "for some time prior" to her murder.
"This is an unimaginable loss for the friends and family of Melissa," said IHIT spokesperson Sgt. David Lee.
"We hope that this outcome provides them with some answers."
Downey remains in police custody as of this publication (Jan. 24). He was initially arrested near Metrotown by Metro Vancouver Transit Police the day of the incident.
Lee adds investigators are still working on the case and are hoping to identify "associates" that can provide more details on Downey and Blimkie's relationship.
Anyone with more information is encouraged to call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
