Latest news with #ForestLawn
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
From pancakes to pakoras: Stampede breakfast goes international in Forest Lawn
Pancakes are notorious fixture at Stampede breakfasts in Calgary, but an annual event in Forest Lawn flips the menu to celebrate the neighborhood's diverse community. The 25th Best of the East Stampede Breakfast took place at Unity Park (3111 17 Ave. S.E.) on Thursday. Hosted in part by the International Avenue Merchants, the event steps outside the traditional Stampede breakfast to offer dishes from a multitude of cultures. 'We're not just pancakes; we're kind of everything else,' said Alison Karim-McSwiney, executive director of the International Avenue BRZ. 'Because we're a little village, we wanted people to experience what makes it unique, so we had to put our own spin on it – and of course had to have food, so that's how it all came about.' The diverse breakfast offerings include East Indian from Brar, Mexican from Taco Libre, Filipino food from Pacific Hut and Ethiopian from TG Juice. 'People get to know more about our Indian culture because these are Indian sweets and Indian food, so they'll get to see how it tastes,' said Gurwinder Kaur with Brar. 'People from different religions get to learn about other cultures and their food, so I think it's a really good idea.' Warn 10 Coun. Andre Chabot, who grew up in Forest Lawn, was in attendance and even helped lead the crowd in a cheer of 'yahoo.' 'I think it's important to highlight the diversity our city, and the value each community brings, each ethnicity and different types of food and activities they offer, and I think it's a great showcase of that,' he said. Calgary Police Service officers were also on hand to help serve up food. 'For the community that was served, to be able to see them on a good day and share in a celebration like this…. and an event that brings everyone together,' said Sgt. Kevin Collier. 'I really like it every year, and with the police helping, I really like that,' said Hong Phan who travelled from the northwest community of Scenic Acres. 'Excellent. Very different from the other places – and I'm here with my friends, and really happy today.' The event also includes local businesses, exhibits, music and performances from a number of different cultures. 'It's delightful, just delightful,' said Cindy Wilbur, who came to the event for the first time. 'We do have many, many cultures and backgrounds representing different cultures and countries, and I think that should be showcased.' 'It's just such a great environment and I love all the different cultural things going on this year,' said Sarah Goddard, who returned for the second time this year with her two children. 'I didn't know there was so much music and dancing going on, so that was just an extra bonus – and the food is delicious,' The event attracts 4,000 to 5,000 people every year, and despite a little wind and rain, it still drew a lineup around the block on Thursday. A lot of people from all over the globe live in Forest Lawn, and along this strip of road,' said Cam Motta, who lives three blocks away. 'It's pretty great,' said Christian Clarke attending the breakfast for the first time with his young daughter. 'It brings everyone together in the community.'
CTV News
20-06-2025
- CTV News
Social media murder: Calgary family says son was killed following online feud
Dean Visser, seen in this undated photo, died after being stabbed on June 6, 2024, by a teen who he was involved in an online dispute with. (Supplied) The Calgary teen who followed and attacked a 16-year-old boy, stabbing him to death over an online feud, is scheduled to be sentenced Friday, after pleading guilty to a reduced charge. Last June, Dean Visser was killed while walking in the southeast community of Forest Lawn. In the time since his death, his parents and sister try to focus on happy memories; their outdoor family adventures, his goofy faces and love of sushi and lacrosse. 'There's a part missing ,' said Dean's father, Kevin Visser from the family's home in southeast Calgary. 'The fun kid that used to come in and just announce himself, 'I'm here' and make a ruckus… You're waiting for that door to open and him to say 'I'm home'… and he's gone.' Dean and dad Kevin on an outdoor trip Dean and his dad Kevin are seen in a photo taken during a fishing trip. (Supplied) 'I miss him. I am sad that he's gone and I understand that the other mom misses her son too,' said Dean's mom Ruth. 'But I'm sorry she can still talk to them and I can't talk to Dean ever again.' The 17-year-old boy charged with first-degree murder in Visser's death later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after negotiations between defence counsel Rebecca Snukal and Crown prosecutor Darren Maloney. Kevin said the deal resolved court proceedings much more quickly by avoiding the need of a trial. The killer is now 18 but cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He had been in trouble with the law before and was on probation when he killed Visser. The Crown did not seek an adult sentence, so the maximum is seven years; four spent in custody and three under community service. Court of King's Bench Justice Lisa Silver is set to make her decision at Calgary Courts Centre on June 20. 'I saw him, saw rage' An agreed statement of facts was filed following the killer's guilty plea in May. It says that Visser and the killer 'harboured animosity' toward each other, including through messages on Instagram. On Thursday, June 6, 2024, around 7 p.m., Visser and his girlfriend were walking in the 1300 block of 41 Street S.E., on their way to meet friends. Visser was wearing an expensive hooded sweater from the brand A Bathing Ape (also known as BAPE) and was carrying another BAPE for his girlfriend. The killer spotted them and followed then, with his hood pulled up and a knife in his hand, he ran behind the couple, stabbing Visser three times. Visser shouted 'who are you?' during the attack. The killer responded, 'Give me that BAPE.' Visser said 'you can have the BAPE' giving the sweater to the attacker, who then ran away with the BAPE. Visser's girlfriend and another witness called 911. Paramedics arrived and took him to Alberta Children's Hospital, where Visser died less than two hours later. 'Movies where they show operating rooms in chaos, that's what we saw. There were probably 20 people working on him doing different things … and being able to do nothing,' said Kevin. The killer returned home. His mother called her son's probation officer saying her son had been attacked by Visser. When police arrived at the killer's home and arrested him, he first told investigators he acted in self-defence at a meeting he and Visser set up to settle their feud. When police said they had security camera video of the attack, he changed his story, saying he spotted Visser and rushed to catch up and stab him out of anger because of their feud. 'I blacked out, I saw him, saw rage, and just went forward,' the killer told investigators. Dean with his family in an undated photo Kevin, Ruth, Elisabeth and Dean Visser pose for photos in North Glenmore Park on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Calgary, Alta. (Britton Ledingham/Britton Ledingham/iEvolve Photo) Social media 'a dangerous tool' Visser was wrapping up his Grade 11 year at Discovering Choices, an outreach school for students facing obstacles. Dean's family said he had challenges dealing with some 'frenemies' before, but his family had never heard about the boy who attacked their son. 'As far as we know, the only way these two boys interacted was through social media and it's a powerful tool and it's also a dangerous tool,' said Kevin. He added that parents need to help their children navigate and be more aware of the dangers it poses. 'Social media life is not real and I think a lot of people don't realize that,' said Ruth. 'A fight over words on Instagram became real one day,' Kevin said. 'It was only real for one of the two people that it was supposed to be a fight. The other person thought it was a war words and he's the one that suffered.' Lacrosse legacy Visser's family's does not want the violent end to be the only thing people remember about his son. 'He was really fun to be around,' said his dad. 'Looking out for people, helping people, goofing off.' Visser was very athletic and especially enjoyed playing lacrosse with the Calgary Axemen, until he graduated out in 2023. He also loved watching Roughnecks games with his family and hoped to get into coaching or refereeing games. On Feb. 22, the Calgary Roughnecks welcomed more than 100 members of Visser's family and friends to a game where they honoured the teen. 'Him and his family spent a lot of time at Roughnecks games and it's something that really brought them together as a family and we thought since they had such a connection to the team and the sport that we wanted to be part of it in any way we could,' said Dustin Edwards, manager of Calgary Roughnecks lacrosse. The Roughnecks worked with the family to create the Dean Visser Youth Player Coaching and Refereeing Development Fund. It's expected to start training youth how to coach and officiate lacrosse games later this year.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man Sues L.A. Cemetery for Placing Mother's Headstone Over the Wrong Grave — for More Than 3 Years: 'How Could This Happen?'
A man is suing the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles because he claims a headstone for his late mother had been placed over the wrong grave for multiple years The family only learned of the alleged mix-up when they buried their father earlier this year, a lawsuit states "We were just talking to an empty spot," the man's sister saidA man is suing a cemetery in Los Angeles because he claims a headstone for his late mother had been placed over the wrong grave — for more than three years. Chris Demirchyan has sued Forest Lawn Mortuary and the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association for fraud, breach of contract, negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, according to a lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE. Back in 2008, Chris' parents purchased two burial plots at the cemetery. In 2012, he allegedly requested they "release their two plots to allow for the family to have a total of six burial plots in the same area," and he went on to secure "four additional burial plots," the legal document claims. When Chris' mother died in July 2021, she was buried in one of the purchased plots a month later. Then, in September, the complaint claims Chris "entered into a contract" to get a headstone, but the legal document alleges that one "bearing [his] mother's name was ultimately placed on the wrong burial site." Per the lawsuit, Chris and his family "were unaware of this misplacement and continued visiting the incorrect site." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. When Chris' dad died earlier this year in April, the complaint claims the man and his family made arrangements for their late father to be buried in the adjacent plot next to where they believed their mother to be. However, during the service for his father, the legal document claims that Chris was informed "that while [his] mother was correctly buried in her designated plot, the headstone bearing her name had been placed on a different gravesite." Chris, the complaint claims, "was shocked, devastated and overwhelmed upon learning that the family had been grieving and visiting the wrong site for [his] mother for approximately 4 years." Per the legal document, Forest Lawn Memorial Park "promised that the issue would be corrected," and the cemetery subsequently "removed the incorrectly placed headstone and placed it on the correct site." The ordeal caused Chris "significant emotional distress, including shock, grief and ongoing mental anguish from having grieved and visited the wrong site for [his] mother," according to the complaint. It added that he also "suffered economic losses, emotional distress and other damages as a direct result" of the alleged mix-up. The legal document further accuses the Forest Lawn Memorial Park of being "reckless, negligent and in breach of its contractual obligations to [Chris], including its duty to properly place and maintain the headstone." Speaking with NBC Los Angeles, Chris' sister, Marine Demirchyan, said the ordeal has left her deeply upset. 'When she passed, I thought, 'At least, we have given her a peaceful, respectful place to rest.' But seeing her memorial tablet placed on the wrong grave, it felt like losing her all over again,' she told the outlet. "We were just talking to an empty spot.' 'She was caring. She was loving," Chris added of his mother, also asking NBC Los Angeles: "How could this happen?" In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Chris' attorney, Rosie Zilifyan, said: "Forest Lawn's failure to fulfill its most basic responsibilities—ensuring that a loved one's grave is properly marked — was not just negligent; it was callous. Our lawsuit seeks to hold Forest Lawn fully accountable for its reckless mishandling and to ensure no other family is forced to endure a similar ordeal." The Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Read the original article on People
The Independent
01-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Family sues Hollywood cemetery after learning that their mom was buried in wrong grave for years
A devastated California family has filed a lawsuit against a Hollywood cemetery after learning their mother had not been buried where her headstone was – and that they had been mourning the incorrect plot for four years. The Demirchyan family made the horrifying discovery in April when burying their father, Avetis, who was supposed to be laid to rest beside his wife at Forest Lawn Cemetery. However, during the service, a mortician pulled aside their son, Chris, to tell him the headstone for his mother, Hasmik, did not match her actual burial site, KTLA reported. While her headstone was in 'space 1,' she was buried in 'space 2,' just one plot to the right, according to the report. 'I feel betrayed because we have been speaking to an empty plot,' Chris Demirchyan said. 'All those times we put down flowers, we prayed, we came for holidays, we even put up a decorated Christmas tree – it was the wrong space.' Even though the cemetery has since corrected its mistake and moved her headstone to the correct location, the Demirchyan family is filing a lawsuit over the emotional distress caused by grieving in the wrong location for years. 'While we appreciate Forest Lawn for taking appropriate action to correct their error right after they discovered it, it still is inexcusable because this would not have come to light if my client hadn't suffered another loss,' said Rosie Zilifyan, the family's attorney. The family is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages, but said their main motivation for filing the lawsuit was to prevent similar mistakes from happening to other families. 'They think saying sorry and moving it makes up for what was four years of mourning that we did, and we're still grieving,' said George Eskichyan, Hasmik's grandson. 'This adds an extra layer of hurt and pain.' The cemetery has 30 days to respond to the lawsuit, according to KTLA.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Family sues a Hollywood Hills cemetery for placing mother's headstone over wrong grave
A grieving family is suing a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills after learning that the headstone honoring their late mother had been placed over the wrong burial plot for four years. The Demirchyan family said they discovered the mistake in April during the funeral of their father, Avetis Demirchyan, who was being laid to rest beside his wife, Hasmik, at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Their son, Chris Demirchyan, said a mortician pulled him aside during the service to inform him that Hasmik's headstone did not match her actual burial site. The memorial tablet had been placed in 'space 1,' while Hasmik was buried in 'space 2,' just one plot to the right. 'I feel betrayed because we have been speaking to an empty plot,' Chris Demirchyan told KTLA's Rachel Menitoff. 'All those times we put down flowers, we prayed, we came for holidays, we even put up a decorated Christmas tree – it was the wrong space.' The cemetery has since corrected the error by moving the headstone to the correct location. However, the Demirchyan family is filing a lawsuit, claiming emotional distress from grieving at the wrong site for years. 'While we appreciate Forest Lawn for taking appropriate action to correct their error right after they discovered it, it still is inexcusable because this would not have come to light if my client hadn't suffered another loss,' said Rosie Zilifyan, the family's attorney. The family is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages, but said their primary motivation is to prevent similar mistakes from happening to other families. 'They think saying sorry and moving it makes up for what was four years of mourning that we did, and we're still grieving,' said George Eskichyan, Hasmik's grandson. 'This adds an extra layer of hurt and pain.' KTLA has reached out to Forest Lawn Cemetery for comment. The cemetery has 30 days to respond to the lawsuit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
