A Hallmark star has bravely addressed a public gathering just days after his costume designer wife was killed when an Audi SUV rammed into a crowd of festival goers.
Noel Johansen, who is a British citizen and previously lived in London, fought back tears as he spoke about wife Jenifer Darbellay, 50, at the vigil in Vancouver, Canada, for the victims who were killed when a mentally ill driver ploughed into crowds gathered for a festival to honor Filipino heritage.
Eleven were people were killed and dozens were injured after an SUV rammed through a packed street festival marking Lapu Lapu Day at about 8pm on Saturday.
Johansen was also injured, along with his seven-year-old daughter, Darby. His son Ford, 15, also attended the festival.
The actor, who has appeared in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo and The Good Doctor, was on crutches as he addressed Monday’s vigils: ‘What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what’s inside my heart is broken.
‘Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident.
‘She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself; she thought of herself as small in terms of the reach. And I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her. So don’t be small in life, be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have, and please remember us who went through this.’
Johansen is best known for his work on Hallmark Channel shows and films including: Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters, When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Harvest Love, Reunited at Christmas and Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Johansen’s friend and business partner Michael Daingerfield has already exceeded the $150K Canadian dollar goal and stands at over $166,000 so far.
‘I am literally in shock as I write this – but I want to do something for Noel and his two children Ford, 15, and Darby, 7,’ Daingerfield said of his friend and the family.
‘This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable.
‘Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgement, and had the sweetest voice.
The 11 dead range in age from just five to 65.
Lo’s mental breakdown was believed to have happened when his father died shortly after the family moved into their Vancouver home, according to the Globe and Mail.