Hallmark star accompanied by courageous son after his wife’s death in tragic car-ramming incident

Noel Johansen, a well-known actor from Hallmark, was seen alongside his teenage son, Ford, at a vigil in Vancouver. This somber event came days after Johansen’s wife lost her life in a tragic incident where an SUV crashed into a group of festival attendees.  

During the vigil, Ford, aged 15, stood quietly next to his father, who was among the many present to grieve the lives lost in the devastating car-ramming incident that occurred on a Saturday night. The attack resulted in the deaths of eleven individuals and left numerous others injured. 

Among the dead was Johansen’s wife and Ford’s mother, celebrated costume designer Jenifer Darbellay.

Jenifer was killed instantly when an SUV rammed through a packed street festival celebrating Filipino heritage.

Images captured at the vigil depict Johansen, visibly distraught and relying on crutches for support, standing with Ford by his side. Additionally, his seven-year-old daughter, Darby, managed to survive the attack but sustained injuries.

The image of father and son standing shoulder to shoulder has already become something of symbol of heartbreak and resilience – a family fractured, but not broken.

The actor, who has appeared in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo and The Good Doctor, was on crutches as he madea an address during the vigil: ‘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.’

Johansen is best known for his work on 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.

A GoFundMe has been set up by Johansen’s friend and business partner Michael Daingerfield has already raised more than $190,000 so far.

‘I am literally in shock as I write this – but I want to do something for Noel and his two children Ford, 15, and Darby, 7,’ Daingerfield said of his friend and the family. 

‘This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable.

‘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.’ 

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, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30.

Lo allegedly to have told witnesses he was ‘sorry’ as he was dragged out of the car.  

Lo severe mental breakdown after his brother was murdered last year and his mother then tried to commit suicide.

He is now facing eight counts of second-degree murder and remains in custody. 

Authorities have previously said that the suspect was ‘known to police in certain circumstances’ and was believed to have been suffering from delusions and paranoia prior to the attack. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was ‘devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver… We are all mourning with you.’ 

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,’ Singh said. 

‘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 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. 

The 11 dead range in age from just five to 65.

Lo’s mental breakdown was believed to have happened when his father died shortly after the family moved into their Vancouver home, according to the Globe and Mail. 

His brother, Alexander, 31, was then found murdered inside a home at around 1am on January 28, 2024, the Vancouver Sun reports.

Dwight William Kematch, 39, was arrested at the house and was later charged with second degree murder.

‘It pains me deeply to put these words down, but my brother has been taken from us in a senseless act of violence, something we never saw coming,’ he wrote at the time. 

‘Our reality has abruptly shifted. Despite our disagreements, the harsh truth that he’s no longer with us hits me with an overwhelming force.

‘I’m burdened with remorse for not spending more time with him,’ Kai-Ji continued. ‘I implore you to keep his soul in your thoughts and prayers.’ 

The fundraiser netted over $9,000 for Alexander’s funeral.

But just months later, in August, Kai-Ji was back asking for donations – this time after his mother attempted suicide and ended up in the hospital for a month.

‘The unimaginable grief brought upon my mother is something  that is worse than my own sadness,’ Kai-Ji wrote. 

‘For she brought him into this world, only for him to leave abruptly, it is a sadness I cannot begin to express.’

‘She lost a son already and is on the verge of losing her home. This has driven her to attempt to take her own life,’ he shared.

In the aftermath, Lo is said to have had several run-ins with police and health care professionals.

Authorities even showed up to the Lo’s house within the last two weeks to ask for security footage, neighbors told the Globe and Mail.

They described how they could often hear Lo screaming inside.

‘He always was yelling with his mom. I don’t know why,’ one of the neighbors said.

‘He is really nervous,’ the neighbor said of Lo. ‘Very- always scared of something happening that might hurt him.’ 

In fact, just hours before Saturday’s attack, a family member had even contacted a psych ward, the Sun reports.