Hallmark Star Chokes Back Tears After Tragic Attack Claims Wife, Injures Child
In the rawest, most heartrending fashion, I, a fervent admirer, found myself standing amidst a crowd at a recent vigil in Vancouver, Canada, as Noel Johansen, my beloved Hallmark star, struggled to hold back tears. His world had been shattered when his cherished partner, Jenifer Darbellay, was tragically taken from us, and his precious seven-year-old daughter bore the scars of an unspeakable assault.
11 individuals lost their lives, and many more were wounded when an SUV crashed into a bustling street celebration for Lapu Lapu Day, which honors Filipino heritage, approximately 8pm on Saturday night.
In the group of individuals who passed away, Noel lost his 50-year-old artist spouse Jennifer (Jen), who was a devoted mother to their 15-year-old son Ford and 7-year-old daughter Darby.
Both actor Noel and his youngest child were among those injured in the Lapu-Lapu tragedy.
At a vigil for the victims on Monday, the prominent figure from Psych was limping along with crutches, visibly emotional as he spoke to the crowd. He struggled to hold back his tears and shared that while his physical injury meant little to him, his heart was shattered because his wife tragically lost her life in the same incident.
‘She never took time to celebrate herself throughout her life. Instead, she saw herself as having limited potential. However, I can assure you that she was far more than just her humble self – a truly larger-than-life figure for anyone who knew her. So, don’t let yourself be confined by smallness; strive to be bold, extend yourself, and reach out with all your heart. And as you go through life, remember us who shared this journey with her.’



He also shared a photo of his wife with the Associated Press.
Notably, Noel is renowned for his contributions to various TV shows and movies on the Hallmark Channel such as “Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters,” “When Calls the Heart,” “Chesapeake Shores,” “Harvest Love,” “Reunited at Christmas,” and “Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery.
I’ve had the privilege of gracing some outstanding TV shows, among them are Fargo, The Good Doctor, Supernatural, and the legendary Psych – it’s a dream come true for this die-hard fan!
Additionally, Noel’s friend and business partner Michael Daingerfield established a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of Noel and his family. This campaign surpassed its initial $150,000 CAD target and currently stands at more than $166,000.
I’m contacting you with profound sorrow and a greatly burdened heart concerning this matter. My identity is Michael Daingerfield Hall, hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I have the privilege of being not only a dear friend but also a business associate of Noel Johansen.
On April 26th, during the Lapu-Lapu event celebrating Filipino culture on Fraser St., Noel’s wife, Jen Darbellay, tragically lost her life after being hit by an SUV that drove through the crowd. I am absolutely stunned as I compose this message, but I feel compelled to help Noel and his two children, Ford (15) and Darby (7).
Currently, Noel is facing a tremendously challenging period in his life, and the thought of moving on seems overwhelming. I’m aware that his productivity at work might be impacted, and I sincerely hope he and his family receive the support they need during this tough phase.
Dangerfield outlined the various expenditures that would arise, such as travel funds for immediate relatives, meals, counseling sessions, and last but not least, funeral-related costs.





He went on in his note, discussing the unique qualities of the victim: ‘Jen stood out from the crowd. She was exceptionally thoughtful, kind-hearted, compassionate, intelligent, fashionable, artistic – a woman with a remarkable talent for painting. As a mother, she was selfless; as a wife, she was loving. Her hugs were heartwarming, her ears were always open without prejudice, and she possessed the most charming of voices.’
She wasn’t just precious to me, my spouse, and our children, but she held a significant place in the hearts of numerous friends and acquaintances as well. This was evident through her selfless acts of volunteering on the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) committee at Sir Alexander Mackenzie, where Darby attended school.
Could you assist Noel and his family during this challenging period, providing them peace of mind? Your kindness would be greatly appreciated not just by me, but also by Noel. I’m grateful for any help you can offer. Every little bit makes a difference. Thank you in advance.
Shocking footage and images revealed a scene of total destruction, with disfigured bodies scattered along the highway after the collision.
Perplexed onlookers were observed hurrying away, moving from one victim to another, while local police officers swiftly apprehended the driver at the scene.
The suspect was alleged to have told witnesses he was ‘sorry’ as he was dragged out of the car.
Sources told The Vancouver Sun he appeared to have been suffering from mental health problems.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep sadness upon learning about the tragic incidents that occurred during the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver tonight.
Writing on X, he said: ‘We are all mourning with you.’


The police haven’t disclosed the exact number yet, but they’ve confirmed that some individuals have unfortunately lost their lives.
At a street festival, several individuals lost their lives and numerous others were wounded when a motorist deliberately rammed into a crowd.
The authorities haven’t clarified yet if the event was deliberate or due to careless driving, but they are currently conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter.
At the event, Jagmeet Singh, head of Canada’s New Democratic Party, departed a few minutes prior to the arrival of the reported vehicle, according to CTV News.
This is utterly shocking, I’m at a loss for words,” Singh said, as reported by CTV. “I had just been there, and now I can only picture the happy, smiling faces of the children I saw dancing.
Typically, city parks use dump trucks to close off streets during festivals, but on Saturday, it seems there was an unexplained failure to do so.
The VPD emphasized that they would be providing updates as the investigation unfolds.
‘I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event.



Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim has shared that he and his team are making every effort to gather and share more details as quickly as possible. However, it is currently known that there have been several deaths and numerous injuries.
As a lifestyle expert, I want to express my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who has been impacted, particularly the Vancouver-based Filipino community, during these trying times. My thoughts are with you all as we navigate through this challenging period together.
Investigators specializing in major crimes and accident reconstruction experts stayed on-site well into the night, meticulously searching for clues and questioning eyewitnesses.
The festival attracted numerous families, kids, and local residents from all over Vancouver, most looking forward to spending a pleasant spring night out. Unfortunately, they were oblivious to the tragedy that was soon to transpire.
Instead, the street transformed into an improvised treatment area, with onlookers hastily administering first aid, since paramedics had not yet arrived on the scene.
In a role as a lifestyle advisor, I’d rephrase it like this: Witnessing the chaos left behind at a festive gathering was quite unexpected. Instead of reminiscing about shared laughter and memories, we found ourselves surrounded by crumpled tents, overturned chairs, and disorganized belongings. This was supposed to be a typical moment of communal bliss, but it ended up being something far from the ordinary joy we had anticipated.
As a lifestyle expert, I’m deeply saddened to report that harrowing footage from the event site reveals numerous individuals sustaining grave injuries. Tragically, there are accounts of an infant caught beneath a vehicle, and first responders are visibly administering CPR to several victims. This underscores the urgent need for safety measures at such events to ensure the well-being of all attendees.
If you happened to record the event or if you were an eyewitness to the accident, please reach out to the authorities promptly with your information.


Today was intended to bring immense joy and honor to our Filipino community, as we celebrated Lapu Lapu Day during our Block Party.
Today was meant to be filled with happiness and pride for my Filipino community, as we marked Lapu Lapu Day in our Block Party celebration.
Lastly:
Our Filipino community was set to revel in joy and take pride on Lapu Lapu Day during our Block Party festivities today.
As someone who was there, I had anticipated a joyous day filled with music, food, camaraderie, and a celebration of our heritage. However, what unfolded was undeniably one of the most harrowing experiences we’ll carry with us forever.
Following the occasion, a devastating accident happened, claiming numerous lives. Instead of concluding with laughter and recollections, it turned into a horrifying ordeal.
‘Families, friends, and loved ones are now mourning and in shock. It’s heartbreaking beyond words.
‘Our community came together to celebrate our history, but we are now united in grief.
I’m deeply saddened for all those impacted by this unfortunate event. I encourage you to hold them close in your thoughts and prayers,” said Idaba-Castaneto.
Let’s keep alive in our hearts those who are no longer with us today. We’ll pay tribute to them by standing together and offering one another comfort during these trying times.
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2025-05-01 19:34