Family of woman killed in Coquitlam suffer devastating loss of ‘an amazing human being’ – BC

The brother of a woman killed December 8 in Coquitlam, BC speaks out about the tremendous loss his family faces.

“She was an absolutely amazing, beautiful person” Tyson Forster to Global News.

Last Thursday, Stephanie Forster, 39, was shot and killed while sitting in her car near Lambert Way and Turner Avenue in Coquitlam.

Two days later, her estranged husband was stopped by police at 100 Avenue and 152 Street in Surrey. Shortly after the traffic stop, he shot himself and later died in hospital, Global News has learned.

Tyson said his sister discovered her new husband’s previous identity as a convicted serial romance cheater and contacted police.

Gianluigi Derossi, also known as Reza Moenian, was arrested but eventually released.

He had been ordered not to communicate with Forster and, as a result, not to visit her home, place of work or school.

Court documents show he was later charged on October 2 with violating his terms.

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The murder of a woman in Coquitlam was linked to a suicide during a traffic stop in Surrey

Tyson said he doesn’t understand how his sister was tormented for so long and molested for months.

“She said, ‘I’m fed up. I go to work and do my job, why can’t they do their job? Why can’t they catch this man?’”

Stephanie was an award-winning social and technology entrepreneur, well-known humanitarian who worked in Haiti and locally taking portraits of children at BC Children’s Hospital and people of downtown Eastside.

“She was just a very, very spontaneous, effervescent light, a person who, once you met her, you just couldn’t love anymore,” Tyson said. “You know, she literally gave herself to the world.”

He said the family will carry on her legacy and the work she has done for others.

“She just wanted to give cause and effect, you know, through her humanitarian work, her outreach programs, with the homeless, with people in third world countries, through her art, through her film, through her beautiful voice and musical talent, just plain just one diverse spectrum of a woman,” Tyson added.

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IHIT in action in fatal Coquitlam shootings

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has not announced if more than one person is being investigated into Stephanie’s death.

Tyson said the family would like to see changes in cases like this, which involve violence against women.

“When is enough, enough?” he said. “You know, it’s in the news so much and I’m sure you’ve covered it over and over again. How many women must be missing? Do you know how many people must be murdered?”

If you or someone you know has been the victim of intimate partner violence or is involved in an abusive situation, please contact the Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime for assistance. They can also be reached toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.

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