Memorial Plaque Honoring Brentwood Stabbing Victims Reported Stolen in Calgary
Calgary police have launched an investigation after a memorial plaque dedicated to five young victims of a tragic 2014 mass stabbing in the Brentwood neighborhood was reported stolen. The brass plaque, which commemorates the lives lost during that devastating incident, was taken from the Quinterra Legacy Garden in South Glenmore Park.
Details of the Theft and Police Response
According to authorities, the plaque was stolen from the garden located near 3320 90 Avenue S.W. sometime before it was reported missing on February 5, 2024, around 2 p.m. Police officers responded to the scene and conducted a thorough search of the area, but the memorial plaque was not recovered.
"Officers attended and searched the area, but the plaque was not located," police stated in a social media post. "We are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of the plaque, or about those responsible for the theft, to come forward and contact police."
Victims Remembered and Significance of the Memorial
The stolen plaque specifically honors Lawrence Hong, Josh Hunter, Kaiti Perras, Jordan Segura, and Zackariah Rathwell—five post-secondary students who were fatally stabbed during a house party in Brentwood on April 15, 2014. This heartbreaking event left the Calgary community in mourning and prompted the creation of the memorial garden.
The Quinterra Legacy Garden opened in October 2020 after years of dedicated fundraising efforts, community partnerships, and corporate sponsorships that raised approximately $650,000. This outdoor musical memorial space serves as a place of reflection and remembrance for the victims and their families.
Possible Motive for the Theft
Investigators have suggested that the plaque might have been stolen for its metal value. Police noted that bronze plaques are increasingly targeted by thieves due to rising metal prices in recent years. This practical consideration adds another layer of distress to what is already a deeply emotional loss for the community.
Background on the Brentwood Tragedy
The five young victims were stabbed to death by Matthew de Grood, who was later found not criminally responsible for the deaths after a judge determined he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the killings. This legal outcome, while based on medical evidence, added complexity to the community's grieving process.
Community Impact and Call for Information
The theft of this memorial plaque represents more than just the loss of a physical object—it strikes at the heart of a community still healing from tragedy. The garden and its plaques serve as important touchstones for remembrance and healing for both the victims' families and the broader Calgary community.
Police are urging anyone with information about the stolen plaque to come forward. People can contact Calgary police directly at 403-266-1234 or submit tips anonymously through Calgary Crime Stoppers. The recovery of this memorial item would help restore an important symbol of remembrance for the five young lives lost too soon.
