Natalie Ouellet began a GoFundMe campaign back on Aug. 12 when she heard her friend Euar Wanichpan had been reported missing.
Ouellet, a Vancouver resident and former schoolmate of Wanichpan at Vic High, wanted to broaden the scope of the search and help WanichpanB次元官网网址檚 parents in any way she could.
The , but Ouellet said it has become a way to raise money to help the family cover funeral arrangements for Wanichpan, whose body was discovered buried on the grounds of S.J. Willis Education Centre on Aug. 22. Police confirmed the identity last Friday and continue to investigate her suspicious death.
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Part of a tight-knit group who began hanging out in Grade 9 at Vic High, Ouellet said friends and WanichpanB次元官网网址檚 family are still in shock over the devastating news. The GoFundMe campaign has been a source of strength, she added.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 actually the light at the end of the tunnel in this situation; being able to help her family when theyB次元官网网址檙e going through a really rough time.
B次元官网网址淎 lot of us live in Vancouver and have different lives and have grown apart and gone on different paths,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really nice to see everyone come together, even if itB次元官网网址檚 in a time of despair, to be there for her family.B次元官网网址�
Ouellet is upset at what she calls the tone of media coverage around WanichpanB次元官网网址檚 death and more recent life, which included struggles with addiction and brushes with the law.
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B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 not the person I knew. She was young and so beautiful, full of life, with bright shining eyes,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪he was a super caring, compassionate person. I canB次元官网网址檛 say enough good things about her, she had so many good qualities and was the kind of person you hope your daughter or sister would be.B次元官网网址�
Ouellet recalled enjoying being closer to Wanichpan when Euar moved to Vancouver for a B次元官网网址渃hange of pace.B次元官网网址� Before long Wanichpan determined she wanted to pursue her arts degree at Camosun College and moved back to Victoria, Ouellet said. B次元官网网址淪he was an extremely talented artist, with sketches and drawings and cartooning.B次元官网网址�
On the GoFundMe page, Camosun visual arts department staffer Michael Yerkovich wrote, B次元官网网址淓uar was a kind and thoughtful student. She was well-liked by both her classmates and the program staff and will be missed. I am sorry for this tragedy, she did not deserve to die like this.B次元官网网址�
Another friend from Vic High days, Evangelina McNally, also wants Wanichpan to be remembered for her positive qualities B次元官网网址� her love of art and music and the easy laugh that would draw people to her B次元官网网址� and not for the choices she made late in her young life.
B次元官网网址淪he was a great spirit and personality, she had an amazing smile,B次元官网网址� McNally said. B次元官网网址淚 remember hanging out with her at another friendB次元官网网址檚 place after school and we just found ourselves laughing our asses off. I can hear her laugh now, it was so infectious.B次元官网网址�
WanichpanB次元官网网址檚 parents arrived last week from Thailand, where they moved several years ago after operating the Sookjai Thai restaurant on Fort Street. While they are not speaking to media, Ouellet has fielded numerous interview requests and said she is glad to help them by talking more about who Wanichpan was as a person. A memorial service for her has been planned, but details are not being released to the public, Ouellet said.
The GoFundMe page had collected more than $1,700 of its $5,000 goal by Wednesday. Donate at gofundme.com/49g9s2o.
