A Hallmark star has bravely addressed a public gathering just days after his costume designer wife was killed when an SUV rammed into a crowd of festival goers.

Noel Johansen, who is a British citizen and previously lived in London, fought back tears as he spoke about wife Jenifer Darbellay, 50, at the vigil in Vancouver, Canada, for the victims who were killed when a mentally-ill driver ploughed into crowds gathered for a festival to honor Filipino heritage. 

Eleven were people were killed and dozens were injured after an SUV rammed through a packed street festival  marking Lapu Lapu Day at about 8pm on Saturday.

Johansen was also injured, along with his seven-year-old daughter, Darby. His son Ford, 15, also attended the festival. 

The actor, who has appeared in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo and The Good Doctor, was on crutches as he addressed Monday’s vigils: ‘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.’

Noel 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 Noel’s friend and business partner Michael Daingerfield to help Noel and his family which has already exceeded the $150K Canadian dollar 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.

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.’ 

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.

‘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.

Meanwhile the driver has been identified as a 30-year-old man who suffered a severe mental breakdown after his brother was murdered last year and his mother then tried to commit suicide.

The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, is now facing eight counts of second-degree murder for the attack at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Festival at around 8pm on Saturday night, with police saying more charges are expected.

In the meantime, Lo will remain in custody. 

Authorities have previously said that the suspect was ‘known to police in certain circumstances’ and suffered from mental health issues as they ruled out terrorism as a possible motive for the deadly attack.

On the day of the attack, Lo was believed to have been suffering from delusions and paranoia, the Vancouver Sun reports. 

His mental health had been deteriorating since his brother Alexander’s murder last year, and has since had dozens of interactions with police officers.

Lo’s attack on Saturday night has now left 11 people dead, ranging in age from just five years old to 65, Vancouver police announced Sunday night, noting that not all of the victims have been identified.

But he has no prior criminal record, and after he slammed his Audi SUV into the crowd Lo reportedly told onlookers ‘I’m sorry’ as families including young children and neighbors from across Vancouver rushed to provide first aid for those in need. 

It now seems that Lo suffered his own losses that may have caused him to have a mental breakdown.

His father had died shortly after the family moved into their Vancouver home, according to the Globe and Mail. 

Lo’s 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.

Following the unexpected death, Kai-Ji took to GoFundMe to ask for donations for his brother’s funeral. 

‘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.