Candlelight vigil held for missing Surrey teen found dead

Dozens gathered in Delta Sunday night to remember the life of an 18-year-old who had been missing for weeks.

The candlelight vigil was held to say goodbye to Joseph Maku.

The 18-year-old was last seen in Surrey on Oct. 22, the same day authorities believe the UBC student died.

The gathering was held at Maku’s old high school, with many wearing shirts with his face on them.

All remembered him as a “bright light.”

Maku’s older sister Brenda has offered thanks to those who helped out in the search for Joseph saying, “Countless days and nights were spent in the cold, in the rain, in different cities and parks trying to find him, and so many people have continued to let me know how loved and cared for Joseph was.”

“The cause of death is still under investigation by the BC Coroners Service, the investigation is still ongoing, and it will be long before we know how my brother passed away,” Brenda previously shared on Facebook.

“Until then, we will remain shocked that my brother is no longer here to shine a light on us all,” she added.

Maku was a first-year kinesiology student at UBC, loved basketball, and was outgoing and adventurous, his family said when he first went missing.

The Maku family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs, rent, groceries, and other bills.