Friends, supporters and strangers have gone above and beyond to provide emotional relief for the family of a Coquitlam man stabbed to death.
As of this publication (Aug. 17), more than $25,000 has been raised for Henry Stanley Garcia Molina's family after investigators identified the 26-year-old as the victim of a stabbing in Whistler Village this past weekend.
Kevin Pineda Romero, organizer for the GoFundMe page, originally set a goal of $15,000.
In his statement, he says Garcia Molina "felt like a brother" to him since they were six.
"Henry was one of my best friends," Pineda Romero writes on the fundraising campaign.
"My goal is to do everything I can to support his family with funeral costs and anything they may need while mourning his loss."
Pineda Romero explains Henry Garcia was allegedly stabbed "multiple times" during an altercation investigators believe took place between 1:45 and 2 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 14) directly in front of the Bearfoot Bistro entrance in the Listel Hotel.
According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), he was taken to Whistler Medical Clinic to be treated for his injuries but died shortly after 2 a.m. when police arrived.
FAMILY STATEMENT
The family of Garcia Molina is appealing to the public for any information that could aid in the investigation.
“Henry’s life was taken senselessly in an act of violence while in Whistler Village simply trying to grab a taxi back to his hotel. Henry’s life did not deserve to be taken away so brutally,” read a statement provided to IHIT.
After canvassing the area, IHIT said authorities have identified "several persons of interest and believe there are multiple individuals involved in the murder as well as several witnesses that have yet to speak with police."
“For those individuals that have direct knowledge of this homicide, now is the time to come forward,” said Cpl. Timothy Pierotti.
“We need those with information to come forward immediately and speak the truth. The investigation is active and ongoing and IHIT investigators will be relentless in their pursuit of all available evidence.”
“Henry’s loss has been the most painful thing that any parent has had to go through,” Garcia Molina's family continued.
“Henry left a positive impact on everyone he has ever met, including all his family members, his friends from school and various sports teams he was a part of. Henry was very involved with the community and admired by many. He was a kind hearted young man who was always willing to help others.”
The alleged homicide is a relative rarity for the resort community, although it does stoke memories of the 2015 stabbing death of 19-year-old Burnaby man Luka Gordic, who was killed in a swarming attack near Marketplace during the May long weekend.
Pineda Romero also writes on the GoFundMe page that Garcia Molina was happy over the last few months.
"He made dozens of amazing friendships while playing in our volleyball leagues and tournaments, with people that I know will never forget his cheerful personality. Over the last few months, I witnessed him make amazing transformations with his health and fitness, and he was becoming a great role model to many."
According to Garcia Molina's Facebook page, he went to Dr. Charles Best Secondary and studied at Douglas College.
Anyone with details or tips can call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or email [email protected].
Anonymous tips can also be sent through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477, texting the number 275637 and starting the message with “BCTIP,” or using the webform at solvecrime.ca.
If you wish to contribute financially to Garcia Molina's family, you can visit the GoFundMe page.
- with files from Brandon Barrett, Pique Newsmagazine
