Celebration of life held for Ethan Bespflug after Surrey stabbing

Calls for change are growing, after a celebration of life was held in Surrey for a teen who was stabbed and killed aboard a bus last week.

Loved ones of Ethan Bespflug gathered for the informal ceremony at Holland Park, just off King George Boulevard and Old Yale Road, in the city’s Whalley neighbourhood Thursday afternoon.

“I just hope that his memory carries on and there’s change, and that people can learn from these kinds of acts. Just be kind, show love,” Ethan’s mother, Holly Indridson, said.

Mourners gathered at Holland Park in Surrey to celebrate the life of 17-year-old Ethan Bespflug. (CityNews Image)

She’s remembering her son as a kind, thoughtful, and gentle person whose life ended too soon.

“I feel like a part of me has died with him. But I also feel him through me as well, I can feel some sense of calmness and peace. I don’t want to. My main thing is going throughout my entire life was, my one word was hope. You have to have hope, you can’t lose hope for everything … I used to tell him that all the time. Now, everywhere I go, I keep seeing the word and I’m just trying to have some hope for humanity and human kind,” Indridson added.

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During the celebration, Ethan’s mother recalled how her son was always willing to help others.

“I don’t have much to say because I feel like basically my whole being is gone, my soul is gone,” she told the crowd in Surrey Thursday.

Mourners gathered at Holland Park in Surrey to celebrate the life of 17-year-old Ethan Bespflug. (CityNews Image)

“Though you are not with us anymore, we will always feel your spirit and will always keep you alive in our hearts,” a close friend added. 

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints in our hearts and we are never, ever the same. Love you, Ethan,” Funeral Celebrant Barry Slocombe said. 

Charges laid

A 20-year-old Burnaby man, Kaiden Brady Robert Mintenko, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing.

Ethan, who was 17, was stabbed the night of April 11. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says the victim and suspect “were known to each other through a third party.”

A motive has not yet been determined, police say.

The stabbing has renewed calls for increased safety on the Metro Vancouver public transit system. Prior to the fatal stabbing, there had been several violent incidents reported on SkyTrains and buses.