Vigil to be held for serial killer’s victims following McArthur’s sentencing
Posted February 10, 2019 9:19 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2019 9:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO (CITYNEWS) – A vigil is being held Sunday for the victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur, just two days after he was sentenced to life in prison.
McArthur will be 91 years old when he is eligible for parole after a judge sentenced him to eight counts of first-degree murder, to be served concurrently.
Community members will be gathering at the Metropolitan Community Church in the evening to remember the victims, Selim Esen, Andrew Kinsman, Majeed Kayhan, Dean Lisowick, Soroush Mahmudi, Skandaraj Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, and Kirushna Kanagaratnam.
Reverend Jeff Rock, a senior pastor at the church, told CityNews the heinous acts committed by McArthur have taken a large emotional toll on the community.
“The grief process isn’t a clean process. There is no right or wrong way to grieve,” Reverend Rock said. “What this vigil is about is bringing people together, whether they are in grief, whether they are angry, and creating a safe space for us to come together as a community and really start the healing process.”
Family members and friends of the victims spoke of devastation, anger and personal struggles they had experienced as a result of the serial killer’s crimes in several victim impact statements during his sentencing.
Reverend Rock added the vigil is about people of different cultures and religions coming together to stand against homophobia.
Donations for the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention will also be accepted.
The vigil begins at 7 p.m. at the church on Simpson Avenue near Logan Avenue and Gerrard Street East.
