(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

MUHAMMAD 'ASH' ZAFAR VIGIL

‘He was always himself’: Kamloops gathers to grieve homicide victim Zafar

Jan 19, 2026 | 12:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Saturday evening (Jan. 17), around 100 people gathered at the Riverside Park bandshell to hold a vigil for Muhammad ‘Ash’ Zafar.

A police investigation has been launched after Zafar was killed in early January.

“He was always himself. No matter what the circumstances were, he was the same Ash to everyone. No matter where he was, he was always funny. He loved to laugh. He loved to tell stories. He loved to tell stories that made you laugh,” said Tiffany Wong, a co-worker of Zafar’s.

For Zafar’s friends, his shocking death leaves a void that cannot be filled.

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“It still hasn’t really sunk in. It’s been a shock to everyone. It still feels like Ash could come around the corner at any time,” said Miles Savoie, a colleague of Zafar’s. “It’s been a heartbreak for all of us. Especially because of the type of person that Ash was.”

The Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre (KSACC) says while Zafar was a member of the queer community, violence can happen to anyone and encourages people to reach out if they feel unsafe.

“We need to make sure we are laying the blame for violence where it belongs — that’s on the perpetrators of violence,” said Alix Dolson, the agency coordinator at KSACC. “While Ash may have participated in online dating, that’s an experience that many people have. That’s a normal part of dating culture in today’s world.”

Zafar’s death sparked a public warning from police about using online dating apps or websites – in particular men-seeking-men sites – which added another level of concern for a grieving community.

“We feel his loss deeply. We miss him very much. He had so much life and so much potential left,” said Savoie.

“I think in the face of such a tragedy, we should all come together in love and community. I think that’s what Ash would have wanted,” added Wong.

There is currently a GoFundMe page to help support Zafar’s family, and at this point, police haven’t publicly shared more information on the homicide investigation.