‘She met the world with open, friendly arms’
Parents of girl’s best friend remember youngster who died a week ago
The tragic slaying of a seven-year-old girl in Langley has left her doting father “broken,” and has devastated her playmates and other adults who cared for her.
Mounties and emergency-health responders were called to an apartment last Sunday in the 20000-block of 68th Avenue, where they found Aaliyah Rosa dead and a 36-year-old woman in need of medical care. Homicide investigators have been tightlipped about the circumstances but believe the injured woman was involved.
Aaliyah, an only child, lived in Walnut Grove with her dad, Steve, who is distraught after the loss of his little girl, according to close family friends Nadia and Rob Causley. Their seven-year-old daughter, Stella, was Aaliyah’s best friend, they said.
Nadia Causley declined to comment on the investigation, citing concern for Aaliyah’s father, as well as the work of police. But she and her husband jointly wrote a letter to help explain the insurmountable loss felt by those who had known Aaliyah.
Stella met Aaliyah four years ago when both girls attended Sunflower Montessori preschool in Walnut Grove. Right away, Aaliyah made a strong impression on the Causleys, the couple said.
“Watching this bubbly and bright, frequent occupant of the class’s euphemistic timeout, the ‘Thinking Chair,’ Stella was fascinated,” they wrote.
“She hadn’t quite shaken off her wobbly shyness, so Aaliyah’s effervescent ways drew her in. Normally Stella was all about rules and structure, but this free spirit rubbed off on her, took her out of her shell.”
The Causleys said they will remember Aaliyah as “sprightly” and “feisty,” with a mischievous grin. She was “daddy’s little girl,” dancing to music by The Weeknd and clinging to Timmy, a shabby stuffed monkey her father kept from his childhood.
“(Aaliyah was) loved so very much by family and friends, she met the world with open, friendly arms,” the Causleys said. ” ‘She never met a stranger,’ her Nonna (grandmother) is fond of saying.”
The couple described Steve, their close friend, as a “gentle bear of a man” who has been crushed by the loss of his little girl. They have been visiting him all week and said his friends and family are doing their best to support him through this tragedy.
“Above all he was man who did the right thing, succeeded in setting the right example,” the Causleys said. “We could see how that was borne out in Aaliyah’s devotion to him and how so much of what she did was to reciprocate that love he showed her. Now he’s broken by his unspeakable loss, yet still holding that patience as he waits to see if justice will be delivered for his precious Aaliyah.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page created by “caregivers” from Aaliyah’s former preschool has raised more than $10,000 to cover funeral costs and care needs for her grieving father.
“Aaliyah was an extraordinary seven-year-old soul, full of love, joy and light to everyone around her,” wrote Trish Wright, who created the fund with four other teachers, according to the page. “You couldn’t help but be attracted to her energy. She was the highlight of all our days. Now that girl we all loved so much has been taken from us, and it is devastating!”
IHIT spokesman Cpl. Frank Jang said Friday there were no investigation updates and reiterated an appeal for public tips. Investigators seek information that will help develop their timeline of Aaliyah’s final days, particularly from those who saw her Sunday. They urge anyone with information to call 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc. ca. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.