Editor’s note: This story discusses topics like homicide, grief and loss. Please read with care.
On a cold Saturday night in Kamloops at Riverside Park Jan. 19 friends, coworkers and community members got together to remember Muhammad “Ash” Zafar.
The community vigil was lit by battery-powered candles illuminating the estimated 75 people there, standing in front of the Rotary Bandshell.
The passing of Zafar, who was found dead in his home on Dalgleish Drive on Monday Jan. 5, was a shock to many including friend Nina Savoie.
“I just didn’t believe it. I would wake up every morning and think, no, that didn’t happen. I’m gonna text Ash and he’s gonna text me back and he’s gonna be fine,” she said. “I walked around in a haze of disbelief for days. The shock was numbing.”
Recalling all the plans they had to show Zafar around, Savoie noted he was newer to Kamloops, having moved from Vancouver at the end of June 2025. Despite being new to town, he was immediately warm and welcoming to her and her husband Myles Savoie, who worked with Zafar.
“[Zafar said] I’m so happy to meet you. We’re going to be such good friends,” Nina said in her speech during the vigil. “He was right.”
Zafar was a member of his company’s Rainbow Alliance, an employee-led and voluntary 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion network and strong community, one that has been devastated by his murder.
“His loss has shaken us to the core. Many of us are still struggling to understand how such a loving, gentle soul could be taken from us in such a cruel way,” Ian McElmoyle, Zafar’s co-worker said in his speech.
Initially called to do a wellness check on Zafar, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) found his body inside his apartment and classified it as a homicide, stating it seemed to be an isolated incident.
However, a day later the RCMP asked the public for more information and urged folks to be careful, especially while using dating apps, particularly those for men‑seeking‑men.
Organizations such as Kamloops Pride shared a statement on how the loss of Zafar has impacted the 2SLGBTQ+ community, also urging folks to prioritize safety when meeting people and sharing resources.
“I really hope that this is not something that happens again,” Nina said. “I really don’t want that for anybody, especially the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”
In the days following his death, online commentary about his passing – combined with assumptions about his sexual and racial identity — began circulating, much of which Myles said misrepresents who Zafar was.
“He’s a newer Canadian and a gay man,” he said. “People will read that part of the story and jump to the conclusions that they want to about this. Ash was more than just a news report, Ash was a person.”
Who was Muhammad ‘Ash’ Zafar?
Among tears and tissues, folks who did not know him learned about his warmth, kindness and generosity thanks to the stories shared by his friends and co-workers.
“Comments that have been in the news that Ash was a nice person do not capture one-millionth of who Ash was,” Myles told the crowd.
Zafar was a “champion for diversity and inclusion,” Myles told The Wren, which is part of his legacy. He adopted those morals every single day and it was innate to him.
“Knowing him has made me a better ally,” Myles added.
He was also a skilled cook who loved to host dinners and events at his home.
“I think about it often, him standing at the stove, smiling, ladling the tea over and over. It was a time consuming task,” Nina said. “When we sat down to drink, we commented that he didn’t have a cup, and he mentioned he wasn’t going to drink any because he had to work the next day and had to get some sleep. We said, ‘But you went through all that effort of making it,’ and he just smiled at us and said, ‘I wanted you to enjoy it.’”
Zafar was charismatic, magnetic and was genuinely interested in people, his friends said. This ease with others translated to public and social scenes as well, co-worker Tiffany Wong said.
“He had none of that famous Vancouver standoffishness that I was used to,” Wong said in her speech. “He was quick to welcome and quick to be friends. It’s a rare skill for someone to be able to make such fast friends with everyone.”
Zafar loved living in Kamloops and was excited to be part of the community, Nina added.
“It breaks my heart that Ash was taken from us by someone who he welcomed into his home, into his space, and like all of us invited into his life. His always open heart, Ash was a beautiful man with all the potential in the world,” Myles said.
Other statements were included from Huzan Mohamed, Tori D’Avella and Brenda Brophy who also knew Zafar. They all shared how he will be deeply missed and how much love they had for him.
Zafar’s legacy is reflected in the lives he touched through his kindness, McElmoyle said.
“Ash was joy. Ash was kindness, Ash was compassion, Ash was courage. If there’s anything Ash would want for us now, I believe it would be to look after each other the way that he looked after us, to be kinder.”
Wong said Zafar would want his legacy to be one of greater compassion.
“He would want people to love each other more and overcome their differences.”
But to Nina, his impact extended beyond advocacy and into the everyday relationships he built.
“The legacy Ash leaves behind is to treasure your community, your friends, loved ones and colleagues,” she said. “He made me want to be that brave.”
Finding justice for Ash
As the investigation into his death continues, Myles said he wants the person responsible found, adding he hopes the investigation gets the attention and resources it deserves.
“I hope that the person who took his life faces justice for all of that lost potential, the lost laughter and love and joy that we all look forward to with Ash. That person could live one thousand lifetimes and never repay what they have taken,” Myles said in his speech.
Zafar deserved to live a long life until he was old and grey, Myles added.
“I can never understand how something this terrible happens, how anyone can feel they have the right to steal someone from the world,” Nina added.
Alix Dolson, the agency coordinator at Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre (KSACC), addressed the public saying there are resources available for the community, including the KSACC Anti-Violence Crisis Line.
“We’re also here tonight to stand in solidarity and call for justice for the violence that’s occurred,” Dolson added.
The RCMP have also encouraged the public to report any information they might have including “anyone who noticed unusual behaviour in someone they know, such as unexplained injuries, sudden changes in routine, cancelled plans or conduct that seemed out of character.”
If you have any information relevant to this case you can contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250‑828‑3000 and the reference file is 2026‑388. Folks who would prefer to be anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑TIPS (8477).
A GoFundMe was also started by his friends to support the family of Zafar during this time.
In her speech, Nina emphasized that Zafar was loved.
”He will be missed, and we will continue we will hold him in our hearts.”
So do we. That’s why we spend more time, more money and place more care into reporting each story. Your financial contributions, big and small, make these stories possible. Will you become a monthly supporter today?
If you've read this far, you value in-depth community news
