Man Receives Life Sentence for Stabbing Girlfriend at Metrotown Mall

A 35-year-old man faces life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 12 years after fatally stabbing his girlfriend in the parkade of Metrotown mall in Burnaby, B.C., in December 2021.

Details of the Fatal Attack

Melissa Blimkie, 25, from North Vancouver, suffered fatal stab wounds around 11:40 a.m. on Dec. 19, 2021, in the mall’s parking garage. She succumbed to her injuries at a hospital shortly after.

Everton Downey, Blimkie’s boyfriend, received the sentence following a guilty verdict for second-degree murder last August. Justice Heather Holmes dismissed arguments from the defense seeking a not criminally responsible finding due to mental disorder.

Court’s Additional Ruling

The court also imposed a lifetime prohibition on Downey possessing firearms.

Impact on Family and Community

Cpl. Esther Tupper of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team described the case as a tragic example of intimate partner violence. “This was a tragic instance of intimate partner violence that has had a devastating impact on Melissa’s family and her community,” she stated.

Individuals facing immediate danger should contact 911. Support for those affected by family or intimate partner violence is available through local crisis lines and services.