GoFundMe launched for Vancouver chef from Japan stabbed to death in downtown Vancouver

In News by Anywhere Vancouver

Vancouver chef
@hapaizakaya / IG

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family of a Vancouver chef originally from who was fatally stabbed in Chinatown just over a month ago.

32-year-old Wataru Kakiuchi, a resident of Burnaby, was found injured near Union and Main Street just before 3:30am on June 5. He had been stabbed, and died before emergency personnel were able to transport him to hospital. On June 10th, 32-year-old Timothy Isborn was charged with second degree murder in the death of Wataru Kakiuchi.



The 32-year-old Japanese citizen was a chef at Hapa Izakaya in Yaletown, and the restaurant’s owner, Justin Ault. has set up a GoFundMe page to help Wataru’s family during this difficult time.

“I’ve been blessed to have worked with hundreds of amazing people. One of the best was Wataru Kakiuchi. As talented as he was as a cook, he was an even better person,” posted Ault on the GoFundMe page.

“Warm, funny, full of energy, a talented musician, empathetic and just an all around wonderful human being – he was a beauty.”



Money raised will help his family handle the “financial repercussions” of this terrible situation.

“The idea of organizing a GoFundMe came from discussions with my staff as we didn’t feel it was remotely fair for his parents to have to bear the financial repercussions of the murder of their son,” reads the fundraiser.

“Flights from Japan, accommodations, meals, transportation, lost wages and funeral expenses have and will add up to a significant burden.”



As of Tuesday morning, the campaign has already raised over $48,000. While the original goal was to raise $40,000, Ault says it has now been changed to $50,000 after getting a better idea of the expenses involved.

“If there is anyone you haven’t forwarded the link to who you think may wish to contribute, please do pass it along – we’re almost there!”

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