Family of Surrey mechanic killed in 'unprovoked' stabbing pleads for witnesses to help

The familyof a man who died from stab wounds in the dark of a Surrey, B.C., parking lot asked theircommunityfor help in an emotional appeal Tuesday,calling on those who know anything about what happened to speak withhomicide investigators.

Delphin PaulPrestbakmo, known as Pauly,was a mechanic who grew up in the area where he died.

A passerby found him lying in the parking lot at 152 Street, near Semiahmoo Shopping Centre,just after 3 a.m. on Friday. He was so severely injured, hediedbefore RCMP made it to the sceneeven with a detachment across the street.

RCMPsaid they believe the attackwas "unprovoked."

AngelaPrestbakmo, Pauly's sister, struggled to finish a sentence without cryingwhen speaking about her brother on Tuesday.

Watch her speak here:

'This tragedy has forever changed our lives,' sister of Surrey stabbing victim says

5 years ago

Duration 1:05

Angela Prestbakmo, Delphin (Pauly) Prestbakmo's sister, described her brother and the impact his death has had on her family, at a news conference Tuesday, imploring witnesses to come forward. Pauly Prestbakmo died after being stabbed in Surrey, B.C., on Aug. 16, 2019.

"I'm having difficulty finding the words, if there are any, to express the heartache, emptiness, and devastating loss for our family," said Angela, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Our brother, Pauly, was the victim of a horrendous murder and we need your help."

Angela's plea to the publiccame as RCMP provided an update on its homicide investigation, which has so farresulted in one arrest but no charges, as well as news of a second assault not far from the parking lot where PaulyPrestbakmo died.

'He never came back'

Homicide investigators believePauly, who was not known to police,left hishouse Friday nightto take out the garbage and have a quick smoke. His house wasn't far from the parking lot, which is bordered by a Coast Capital Savings bank, a dollar store and a McDonald's.

"Tragically, he never came back," said Cpl. Frank Jang, addressing reporters after Angela Prestbakmo spoke.

Angela described Pauly, 45, as an exuberant,generous mechanic who "would give the shirt off his back to someone in need."

We will never again be able to hear his infectious rolling belly laugh, his contagious smile that would light up a room and his outrageous sense of humour and his love of life,"Angela said.

So ubiquitous was his reputation in South Surrey, Jang later said,it's believed the person who attacked him would have knownwho he was.

A man was arrested in Pauly's death outside a housetwo blocks away from the parking lot crime scene after a brief search. RCMP said the home isn't connected to the crime, but ratherthe location where the search ended.

Jang declined to provide further information on the arrestas no charges have been laid, but said IHIT is still gathering evidence.

2nd assault

At the same news conference Tuesday, RCMPannounced an investigationinto a second assault that happened nearby, hours before Pauly was found.

Jang said aman in his 60s was found with "extensive" injuries Friday night. He was lastseen at the Coast Capital Savings bank in the same parking lot where Pauly diedat 11:55 p.m. PT.

White Rock RCMP and IHIT are determining whether the attacks are related"out of an abundance of caution," Jang said,given their proximity to each other in place and time. The officer would not say whether the man who survived had also been stabbed.

Witnesses are key to both investigations, Jang said.

Angela Prestbakmocalled on the community that raised her brother to help him now, as hisfamilyprepares for hisfuneral.

"Our brother, Pauly, had a lot of different sayings. One, in particular, sticks out for our family here today that I would like to share.When things were not going so good or working out, he would say, 'hey, let's make it right. Do the right thing,'" Angela said.

"On behalf of my family and our friends, we speak for our brother Pauly one last time ... make it right. Do the right thing."