Chilliwack murder victim remembered as ‘compassionate and brave human’

The family of one of the two women killed in a double homicide at a Chilliwack residence last week is honouring her memory and thanking police for their efforts in finding her killer.

On Thursday, 43-year-old Amber Culley and 49-year-old Mimi Kates were shot and killed by Eric Shestalo. The manhunt for the 50-year-old ended Monday, when his body was found near Bridal Falls. According to police, it appears he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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The homicide team has confirmed the victims and suspect were known to each other. A man of the same name was expected in court on July 21 for charges related to domestic violence, according to court records.

In a statement released through the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, Cully’s loved ones called her a loving and compassionate human whose children were her world.

“We will miss her madly but we will never let a murderer put out her bright light or destroy our little boys’ lives. Her children were her world,” the family said.

“We wish to thank our extended family, friends, and beautiful humans in the Lower Mainland and around the world for the outpouring of love which is beyond proof of her worth,” they added. “We wish to thank IHIT, the RCMP and Victims Services, who have worked 24/7 for the past 4 days to find her perpetrator and have shown us priceless love & respect.”

A man was also shot in the incident, but IHIT has since confirmed he is suffering from non-life threatening injuries.