Delphin Paul Prestbankmo
The family of a man stabbed to death in South Surrey on Friday is asking for any witnesses to his death to come forward.
On Friday, Aug. 16, Delphin Paul Prestbankmo, 45, was near 18 Avenue and 152 Street at 3:23 a.m. when he was fatally stabbed.
Police with a dog team tracked an initial suspect to a nearby home. He was held in custody, but has since been released due to lack of evidence.
Police say the stabbing took place the same night a man in his 60s was injured in an attack.
Mounties are investigating whether the two incidents are connected.
On Tuesday, Prestbakmo’s family appealed for help from the public.
“I am having difficulty finding the right words – if there are any, to express the heartache, emptiness and devastating sense of loss our family has experienced with the sudden death and loss of our brother Paul,” said his sister Angela. “Our lives were forever shattered into pieces.”
She said that her brother was a big-hearted person with a great sense of humour.
“We will never again be able to hear his infectious rolling belly laugh, his contagious smile that would light up a room and his outrageous sense of humor and his love of life,” Angela said.
She asked any one with information to come forward an report it to police.
“We implore those who have information, to please come forward and report any information to the RCMP,” she said. “We are hoping that another family will not have to stand here, like we are today and go through what we are going through, requesting the same of our community.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).