Lin’s parents to attend memorial on Saturday

A memorial service will be held Saturday for Chinese student Lin Jun, whose slaying and dismemberment in May led to the arrest of Luka Rocco Magnotta, who is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder.

The ceremony, organized by friends of Lin, will take place at the Montreal Chinese Alliance Church in Hampstead and will begin at 10 a.m. This memorial will be open to the public.

On June 25, a private memorial was held, drawing nearly 100 friends, colleagues and community members to the Loyola Chapel at Concordia University, where Lin was studying computer science.

Xixi Li, general director of the Service à la famille chinoise du Grand Montréal, confirmed that Lin’s parents, Zhigui Du and Daran Lin, would attend the service. The outreach organization has helped his parents find translation services and a place to stay since they came to town last month after the death of their only son.

On May 29, Lin’s torso was found in a suitcase behind Magnotta’s Côte des Neiges apartment, prompting an international manhunt for Magnotta. One of Lin’s hands and one foot were mailed to the Conservative and Liberal parties of Canada, and the other hand and foot were mailed to elementary schools in Vancouver. Lin’s head was discovered in Angrignon Park on July 1.

Lin’s mother, Zhigui Du, told CBC on Monday evening that “her heart almost stopped beating” when she received news her son might be missing. Her worst fears were confirmed by a report on Chinese television.

The family has not decided whether to bury Lin in Montreal or take his remains back to China.