January Marie Lapuz

[New Westminster, B.C. ] A jury trial is scheduled to begin Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster for a man accused of killing “a bright light and shining star” of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Charles Jameson (Jamie) Neel is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of 26-year-old January Marie Lapuz. On the evening of Sept. 29, 2012, Lapuz was found in her home in the 500-block of Third Avenue in New Westminster by police responding to a call about a person who had been stabbed. Lapuz was rushed to hospital, where she died the next morning. Lapuz, a transgender woman, volunteered as social coordinator at Sher Vancouver. The organization’s founder said shortly after Lapuz’s death that she had a positive effect on almost everyone she met. Alex Sangha said he and others learned a lot from Lapuz, who tried to help others even though she had struggles of her own.

Read more at The Province