A year after man’s death, family pleads for answers
As Kelly Thompson’s family gathers for Easter dinner, there will be one less smiling face at their table.
Thompson, 34, was beaten to death in the street by a handful of still-unidentified suspects on April 14, 2016, near 137 Street and 115 Avenue.
“We’ve been robbed,” sister Kim Thompson said Thursday in an emotional appeal to the public for information at the southwest division police station at 1351 Windermere Way. “Life will just never be the same.”
While investigators are still chasing leads nearly one year after his murder, his family and friends have been left with more questions than answers.
“We know people know what happened, we know there are people out there with information, we want them to come forward. Have a conscience, have a heart, please,” Kim Thompson said. “If this was your son or your brother, you would expect the same; anybody would. Please, put yourself in our shoes and help us get closure.”
Witnesses to the attack watched in horror as a man, later identified as Kelly Thompson, was chased down and beaten by as many as five suspects in dark clothing and hoods who were armed with baseball bats. They fled the scene in a light-coloured SUV.
Tyler Mayotte, 23, was visiting a friend in a nearby townhouse when he saw the assault and rushed to the man’s aid.
“I was the first person to walk
We know people know what happened, we know there are people out there with information, we want them to come forward. Have a conscience, have a heart, please.
up to him. He was completely knocked out, eyes were rolled back, really heavy breathing, his skull was completely broken open. It was pretty brutal,” Mayotte said in an interview the morning after the attack.
Emergency crews were on the scene within minutes and Kelly Thompson was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where he died two days later.
“The loss of my brother has absolutely devastated our entire family,” said Kim Thompson. “Not only have we dealt with his sudden death, but we also have to deal on a daily basis with the absolute horrific events my brother endured in his final moments … and our final moments with him.”
Their mother, Linda Linton, was so traumatized by her son’s violent death that she couldn’t find the strength to leave her house until a few months ago.
“Hopefully, they will catch these guys and lock them away for a long time. That would make me happy, that they’re not on the street and they’re not going to do this to anyone else,” Linton said, unable to fight back her tears.
She described her son as “the life of the party,” who loved to make people laugh and always made time to be with family.
Kim Thompson said she also lost her trust in humanity.
“My life is forever changed, and not for the better,” she said, clutching a photo of her brother.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.