Hallmark star Noel Johansen fought back tears as he spoke at a recent vigil in Vancouver, Canada after his wife Jenifer Darbellay died and his seven-year-old daughter were injured in a horrifying attack.

Eleven were people were killed and dozens were injured after an SUV rammed through a packed street festival  Lapu Lapu Day – to honor Filipino heritage – at around 8pm local time on Saturday.

Among those who died was Noel’s 50-year-old painter wife Jen as she was a mother to 15-year-old son Ford and the aforementioned seven-year-old daughter Darby.

Both actor Noel and his youngest child were among those injured in the Lapu-Lapu tragedy.

The  Psych star was on crutches at a vigil for the victims on Monday as he choked back tears while addressing the crowd as he said: ‘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.’

Hallmark star Noel Johansen fought back tears as he spoke at a recent vigil in Vancouver, Canada after his wife Jenifer Darbellay died and his seven-year-old daughter were injured in a horrifying attack

Among those who died was Noel’s 50-year-old painter wife Jen as he share a snap of her with Associated Press

The couple share 15-year-old son Ford and the aforementioned seven-year-old daughter Darby; Noel and Darby were injured at the festival

Eleven were people were killed and dozens were injured after an SUV (pictured) rammed through a packed street festival Lapu Lapu Day – to honor Filipino heritage – at around 8pm local time on Saturday 

He also shared a photo of his wife with the Associated Press.

Noel is best known for his work on several 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.

He has also starred in series including Fargo, The Good Doctor, Supernatural, and the aforementioned Psych. 

 There was also a GoFundMe set up by Noel’s friend and business partner Michael Daingerfield to help Noel and his family which has already exceeded the $150K CAD goal and stands at over $166K so far.

The description of the fundraiser read: ‘It is with a deep sadness and a very heavy heart for which I am reaching out to you about this cause. My name is Michael Daingerfield Hall from Vancouver, BC, Canada and I am a very close friend and business partner of Noel Johansen. 

‘On Saturday April 26th, while attending the Lapu-Lapu event celebrating Filipino culture on Fraser St., Noel’s wife Jen Darbellay was struck and killed by an SUV as it drove through the crowd. I am literally in shock as I write this – but I want to do something for Noel and his 2 children Ford (15) and Darby (7). 

‘This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable. I know that his work will undoubtedly be affected and I would really like for him and his family to be supported during this time.’

 Daingerfield went over the several costs which will come as a result including travel budget for immediate family, food, counselling, and of course funeral expenses.

The Psych star was on crutches at a vigil for the victims on Monday as he choked back tears while addressing the crowd as he said: ‘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’

He was consoled by a vigil attendee 

Noel’s teenage son could be seen standing next to him at the sad event 

Noel is best known for his work on several 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; he is seen with Kirsten Robek (left) and Lacey Chabert on set of 2017’s All Of My Heart: The Wedding

There was also a GoFundMe set up by Noel’s friend and business partner Michael Daingerfield to help Noel and his family which has already exceeded the $150K CAD goal and stands at over $166K so far

He continued the note by talking about the person the victim was as he wrote: ‘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.

‘She was not only special to me and my family (wife and kids), but she was special to many other friends and people – giving of herself volunteering on the PAC committee at Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Darby’s school. 

‘Please help Noel and his family get through this difficult time with ease of mind, it would mean a lot to me, and of course Noel. Thank you for any support. Every bit counts.’

Horrifying video and pictures showed utter devastation as mangled bodies were strewn across the road following the crash.

Dazed bystanders could be seen racing away from the scene and from victim to victim as local cops swooped and arrested the driver.

The suspect was alleged to have told witnesses he was ‘sorry’ as he was dragged out of the car.

Sources told The Vancouver Sun he appeared to have been suffering from mental health problems.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was ‘devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening’.

Writing on X, he said: ‘We are all mourning with you.’

A peaceful night of music, food, and celebration in Vancouver turned into unimaginable horror on Saturday evening when a vehicle barreled into a packed street festival, killing many people 

 Vancouver police secure the scene after a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival — April 26, 2025

Cops have not yet released an official death toll, referring only to ‘a number of people’ confirmed to have passed away. 

Vancouver Police said: ‘A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival.’ 

Officers have not said whether the incident was intentional or the result of reckless driving, but an active investigation is underway.

Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, was among the attendees at the event, but left minutes before the vehicle arrived, CTV news said.

‘This is so horrific, I don’t even know what to say,’ CTV quoted Singh as saying. ‘I was just there, and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling and dancing.’

Usually the city parks dump trucks to block streets for festivals but for unknown reasons that didn’t happen on Saturday. 

The VPD emphasized that they would be providing updates as the investigation unfolds.

‘I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event.

Major crime detectives and collision reconstruction teams remained at the scene late into the evening, scouring the area for evidence and interviewing witnesses

Vancouver Police look over a black car involved in the incident at the Lapu Lapu Festival 

Major crime detectives and collision reconstruction teams remained at the scene late into the evening

‘We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time we have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries,’ Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement.

‘Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.’

Major crime detectives and collision reconstruction teams remained at the scene late into the evening, scouring the area for evidence and interviewing witnesses.

The festival had drawn families, children, and neighbors from across Vancouver, many eager to enjoy the warm spring evening, unaware of the horror about to unfold.

Instead, the street became a makeshift triage center as bystanders rushed to provide first aid before paramedics could arrive.

Videos posted on social media showed stunned festivalgoers standing beside twisted tents, toppled chairs, and scattered belongings, the aftermath of what should have been an ordinary, joyous community event.

Eyewitness videos from the scene show severe injuries among festival attendees, including reports of a baby trapped under a vehicle, while emergency responders could be seen performing CPR on victims. 

Police have asked anyone with video footage of the incident or who witnessed the crash to contact them immediately.

Police work on Fraser street, near the site of the Lapu Lapu day block party — April 26, 2025

Cops have not yet released an official death toll, referring only to ‘a number of people’ confirmed to have passed away. Pictured: Paramedics working at the scene

‘Today was supposed to be a joyful and proud moment for my Filipino community – a celebration of Lapu Lapu Day at our Block Party.

‘It was meant to be a day filled with music, food, laughter, and the honoring of our heritage. Instead, it turned into one of the most traumatizing days we will never forget,’ wrote Jen Idaba-Castaneto who attended the celebration.

‘After the event, a tragic accident occurred that took multiple lives. What was supposed to end with smiles and memories became a nightmare.

‘Families, friends, and loved ones are now mourning and in shock. It’s heartbreaking beyond words.

‘Our community came together to celebrate our history, but we are now united in grief.

‘My heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy. Please keep everyone involved in your prayers,’ Idaba-Castaneto went on.

‘We will remember those we lost today, and we will honor their memory in the way we continue to support each other through this unbearable pain.’