INSIDE: Downtown library will close for major renovation work, cafe construction/A5
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JANUARY 24, 2018 | Volume 31 No. 7
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Kamloops couple ‘overwhelmed’ by support from city Donations pour in after story in KTW JESSICA WALLACE STAFF REPORTER jessica@kamloopsthisweek.com
KTW FILE PHOTO Cody Foster was found dead in this east Kamloops RV park on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. Stephen George Fraser was subsequently charged with one count of second-degree murder, and his preliminary inquiry is underway in Kamloops provincial court.
Hearings underway for accused in 2017 murder in east Kamloops RV TIM PETRUK STAFF REPORTER tim@kamloopsthisweek.com
A preliminary inquiry is underway in Kamloops provincial court for a man accused of murder in an alleged altercation in an RV park nearly 12 months ago. Cody Foster, 26, was found dead following an incident in an RV park in the 9000-block of Dallas Drive, just east of the BC Wildlife Park. Stephen George Fraser, 56, was arrested a short time later and has
been in custody since facing one count of second-degree murder. Fraser’s preliminary inquiry got underway this week and is scheduled to conclude on Friday. Preliminary inquiries are hearings after which a judge determines whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial, and allegations presented at them are protected by publication bans. At the time of the alleged murder, a resident in the park told KTW the victim lived in the park and the incident took place in a
trailer on the property. Police said they were called to the park at about 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2017, for a report of a disturbance. Investigators have said they arrived to find a group of people holding Fraser down. Foster’s body was found nearby. An area of the park was subsequently cordoned off by police tape. Forensic officers could be seen emerging from a trailer while plainclothes detectives roamed the park speaking to potential witnesses.
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Bob and Laurie Bruce spent much of Friday afternoon in tears. “Overwhelmed and in tears,” Bob told KTW. “What broke the ice — things [donations] were coming in, realizing this trip is going to be possible, which is a necessary trip — we got a call from our landlord that broke our hearts. He basically said our rent is paid until March 1.” “As soon as I heard that, I just broke out in tears,” Laurie added. The Bruce family has been grappling with an unthinkable situation: How to afford a trip to the Lower Mainland for Laurie to receive treatment for ovarian cancer at Vancouver General Hospital. Bob said he was skeptical at first about speaking to KTW because a GoFundMe campaign raised only a couple hundred dollars in a month. “I don’t want to say bad words like giving up hope, but I was close,” Bob said. “I withheld my emotions and my feelings and I didn’t know what to do. I had no idea what we were going to do.”
A story ran in Friday’s edition of KTW detailing the Bruce family’s financial situation and the community response has been swift. Added to HopeAir flights and waived rent, the GoFundMe campaign has since raised more than $3,600. Another $1,100 has been dropped off at the KTW office for the family. “I can’t explain. There’s no words to explain what this has done for Laurie’s future,” Bob said. “We have the ability to go ahead now and do what’s needed to be done.” Multiple others have called to offer support to the family in other ways: From taking care of their dog, Lotto, to replacing Laurie’s aging sleep apnea machine and sharing personal cancer stories. “We had one call yesterday from a gentleman who said he donated and said, ‘I just want you to know, you’re not alone.’ He said, ‘If you need anything, if you need a ride anywhere, you call me,’” Laurie said. “I thought, wow . . . . Now, I’m just at the point where I’m going, it’s going to be done, over with. Thank God.” The family will travel to Vancouver in early February.
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Feb. 22–25, 2018 bcgames.net /kam2018w