The family of a Chinese student murdered and dismembered in Canada commemorated “a loving son, a good young man” at a public funeral held in Montreal on Thursday.
Lin Jun (林俊) “was a loving son, a good young man who was hardworking and true” and “his family’s pride and joy,” Father Henry Rodriguez said during a Christian funeral with Buddhist undertones. His mother converted to Protestantism last week, but Lin Jun himself was Buddhist.
“It’s a very difficult moment for Lin Jun’s family,” Rodriguez said. “An exceptionally difficult moment for the Chinese community in our society.”
Lin’s father, Lin Diran, accompanied by Lin’s sister, broke down in tears as he lit a candle next to an urn containing Lin Jun’s remains during the somber ceremony. Later at Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery he wailed loudly and long.
Shattered by her son’s murder, Lin Jun’s mother, Du Zhigui, did not attend the services, but met with reporters and again thanked several Canadian institutions, police and Concordia University, where Lin Jun went to school, for their support during trying times.
She also announced the creation of a foundation in her son’s name to help youths in distress.
“We believe that the creation of this endowment will help keep his memory alive. Lin Jun, I believe that you would be happy about my decision,” she said through an interpreter.
Du also announced that the family would remain in Montreal until March next year to attend the trial of Lin Jun’s alleged killer.
Occasional porn actor and escort Luka Rocco Magnotta is believed to have used an ice pick to stab Lin in late May before carving up his body, sexually abusing the corpse, filming the act and posting the video online.
Days after the killing, Montreal police discovered Lin Jun’s torso in a suitcase by the trash outside an apartment along a busy highway.
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