A local 28-year-old actor who died in Maple Ridge late Friday night after reportedly being stabbed at a small house party will be remembered by friends and family as an artistic and proud member of the Squamish Nation.
Twenty-eight-year-old Zachary Douglas was found allegedly murdered at a Ridge Meadows home in the early morning hours of Saturday (Sept. 29), according to RCMP. There were several witnesses who left the scene before police arrived, stated the release, and police are asking the public to assist in the investigation.
Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT) said police don't believe the incident was a random attack, but would not elaborate to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
An RCMP news release stated that police suspect several witnesses left the scene before investigators arrived and are asking the public to help with any information by callin Crimestoppers at 1 888 222-TIPS.
Douglas was well known in the community, having lived in Squamish since the age of five and attending Brackendale Elementary, Don Ross and Howe Sound Secondary schools.
He'd spent some time living in the Lower Mainland, but recently returned to his parents' home in Brackendale.
"They're getting ready for his final journey," said family friend Linda Williams. "It's so tough. He was very proud of, and dearly loved all his family and friends. He was also very proud of his culture - Haida, Tsimshian and Squamish."
Douglas will be remembered by his large number of family and friends as an artistic young man who composed rap songs, loved to sing and dance, and acted - most notably in the film Legends and briefly alongside his brother Corey in the series The Beachcombers.He was also literally a poster boy for clean living, according to Williams, having recently been approached to feature in a Health Canada sobriety poster aimed at First Nations youth.
Police would not comment on Douglas's state of sobriety at the time of his death, but when asked whether drugs and alcohol were at the Ridge Meadows scene of the crime, Carr said the gathering had "all the makings of a typical Lower Mainland party."
Douglas was no stranger to crime and had a long list of files with provincial courts, according to a court registrar. Douglas's most current file was launched in March 2007 when he was charged with sexual assault. He had been scheduled to appear before a judge in April 2008. Family and friends throughout the Squamish Nation and the community have been rallying to support the family, according to mother Vera Douglas, a longtime employee of Don Ross Secondary.
Staff from Don Ross last weekend gathered at the Douglas house to exchange heartwarming stories about Zachary as a youth, said Vera. And his talent agent is helping family organize a service that will feature his accomplishments both as an actor and as a positive role model for First Nations youth, said Williams.
"They want to get the message out to First Nations youth to stay drug and alcohol-free," said Williams. "They're also going to have some of his poems read during the service."
Douglas was also known as devoutly religious and in his memory, the community is invited to join family and friends in a prayer service this evening (Friday, Oct. 5) at the Douglas home, 974 Axen Rd. A celebration of life will also take place at Totem Hall Saturday (Oct. 6) at 9 a.m.
Police are asking anyone with information on the homicide to call Staff Sergeant Jeff Young of the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team at 604-543-9217 or Crime Stoppers at 1 888 222-TIPS.
