Angela Prestbakmo, the sister of South Surrey murder victim Delphin Paul Prestbakmo, released the following statement in a public appeal for help:

We should not have to be here today making this statement. I never thought I would have to stand here today and read this statement from our family, about the sudden death of our beloved brother, son, uncle, friend and spouse, Dephin Paul Prestbakmo. Pauly, as most knew him.

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. Our lives were forever shattered into pieces.

We have come forward here today to release this statement in the hopes that our community understands our brother Paul was a victim of a heinous murder and we need your help.

Paul was suddenly taken from us in the early hours of Friday morning, August 16, 2019 when he was attacked and murdered while walking near the Semiahmoo Mall in South Surrey and those responsible remain at large.

This tragedy has forever changed the lives of our family and friends for years to come. 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.

Over his short 45-year-life, he made many friends along the way. Helping out folks with mechanical car repairs or helping people move. He was a great-hearted person who would help anyone in need.

His sudden senseless death was devastating news for many friends and the local community. He will be sadly missed by many.

He was taken from our lives too soon. He was an innocent victim of a heinous criminal act and there are people in our community who have the information that can assist with this file.

I would like to end this statement with this one last thing: Our brother, Pauly had a lot of different sayings. One, in particular, sticks out for our family here today that I would like to share:  When things were not going so good or working out, he would say "hey, let's make it right!—do the right thing."

So, on behalf of my family and our friends, we speak for our brother Pauly one last time: HEY, LET'S MAKE IT RIGHT AND DO THE RIGHT THING!

We do not wish any repeat of this act to happen to anyone else.

We implore those who have information, to please come forward and report any information to the RCMP. 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.

My family and I are asking for your help. Please, if anyone has any relevant information, anything that can help us find those responsible and assist with closure of this case, please come forward. We would really appreciate it.

Please contact IHIT investigators or your local RCMP.

Thank you.

-Angela Prestbakmo (Paul’s sister)