Image Credit: Contributed by Megan Parsons
Grieving Family

Kamloops murder victim was father of five, planned to meet newborn daughter

Aug 4, 2020 | 4:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — The murder of a man in Kamloops over the BC Day Long Weekend is being felt far across the country.

39-year-old Paul Samuel Whitten Jr. was stabbed on Clarke St. Saturday and died as a result.

The victim had moved to Kamloops from Newfoundland around one year ago to seek out work.

“The last time we saw him was September last year, actually,” said Megan Parsons, Whitten’s partner for nearly nine years. “He never even met his newborn daughter.”

Parsons told Whitten she was expecting their fifth child three days after he moved to Kamloops.

Recently, Whitten had been talking about making a trip home to meet his daughter.

On Saturday (Aug 1), Whitten was stabbed at his home by a man from a neighbouring residence.

“I got the call and it’s almost like everything started spinning and I wasn’t comprehending what (the officer) was saying,” Parsons said. “It was like I was hearing him, but I wasn’t hearing him.”

The suspect in the case is 37-year-old Jason Michael Holm, who has been charged with second degree murder.

According to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., the RCMP were contacted by someone concerned about the mental health of Holm on July 31.

Officers were unable to locate Holm, and the IIO is now investigating police actions.

“We will be speaking with witnesses,” said Chief Civilian Director Ron MacDonald, “we’ll be speaking to the people who first alerted the police, we’ll speak to any other people who have evidence to offer about this gentleman the day beforehand. That’s what we’re interested in. Obviously the police have a very important investigation that they’re continuing to work on as well.”

Nothing will bring Paul back to Megan or their children, but Megan is hoping to raise enough money through a GoFundMe page to lay him to rest in Newfoundland.

“My heart is in like a million pieces because I just want to be able to wrap my arms around him and tell him that I love him, just say it, and I can’t do that.”