Days after his wife, Jenifer Darbellay, tragically died when an SUV crashed into a crowd at a festival, Hallmark actor Noel Johansen bravely spoke at a public vigil in Vancouver, Canada.
Jenifer, 50, a costume designer, was killed during the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Filipino heritage. The crash occurred on a Saturday evening when a mentally ill driver plowed into the crowd, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuring many others. Johansen and his daughter, Darby, 7, were also injured, while his 15-year-old son, Ford, was present at the event.
At the vigil, Johansen, who is known for his roles in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo, and The Good Doctor, spoke emotionally about his wife, fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd.
“What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what’s inside my heart is broken,” he said, referring to the physical injury he sustained. “Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident.”
Johansen described Jenifer as someone who never celebrated herself and always put others first. “She was larger than life for any of you who know her,” he said, urging others to live fully and embrace their humanity.
Jenifer was well-known for her warmth, thoughtfulness, and artistic abilities. She was also deeply involved in her community, volunteering at her daughter’s school. Johansen’s colleague and friend, Michael Daingerfield, set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $166,000, surpassing its original goal of $150,000 CAD.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable,” Daingerfield said in a statement.
The tragic event unfolded when Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, the driver of the Audi SUV, crashed into the festival crowd. Lo was later apprehended by the police and is facing multiple charges, including eight counts of second-degree murder. Lo had been struggling with mental health issues, including paranoia and delusions, which may have contributed to the attack.
Eyewitnesses described the horrific scene, with mutilated remains scattered across the street. First responders worked quickly to provide medical attention, and the area became an impromptu triage center.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his shock and sorrow at the incident, stating he was “devastated to hear about the horrific events.” NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who had been at the festival shortly before the crash, also shared his grief, calling the event “horrific.”
In a tragic twist, Lo’s mental health struggles had been exacerbated by personal losses. In the months prior to the incident, he had experienced the murder of his brother and his mother’s suicide attempt. Despite his history of mental health crises, Lo’s violent actions that day remain a devastating tragedy for the victims and their families.
The investigation continues, with authorities examining Lo’s past encounters with law enforcement and the mental health challenges that may have led to the tragic events at the festival.
