Close family and kin suspect that there may have been foul play in the unexpected death of Toronto resident Ephraigm Flores, 23, who was first reported missing on December 27 after he attended the Contact Winter Music Festival with friends at BC Place on Boxing Day. The spectacular party event was a two-day affair which brought out sensational DJ/artists in the underground dance and rave music scene.
Ephraigm, called Apot within his circle of family and close friends, is an excellent swimmer. He was found dead five days later in a partly frozen pond south of Garden City Park on Granville Avenue on New Year’s Eve.
The RCMP, apparently, ruled out foul play although some family feel they could be following up certain leads. RCMP reported they did an extensive investigation into this case.
Devastated mother Gloria Flores told MVI News:
“December 26, he just greeted me ‘happy birthday’ and that’s it, no more… I have no more tears to shed… My son is a goner now. And everybody is in shock, it’s just like horrified, it’s just like unbelievable. And I couldn’t believe that my son is gone. And I’m asking for all the people to help me to seek justice for my son.”
Ephraigm’s mother, Gloria Flores. Photos by Simply the Best – The Luisa Marshall Show.
Ephraigm’s father, Ramon Flores, told MetroVan Independent News earlier that his son took a Yellow Cab from BC Place to Garden City Road. Questions have been raised how Ephraigm ended up alone 300 feet from the nearest road in a pitch dark park after leaving BC Place early where he was with all his friends.
Sources revealed Ephraigm confided to a friend, prior to leaving to Toronto last year that he was threatened with bodily harm if he ever came back to Vancouver.
His brothers RJ, 28, Mark, 26, and Sean, 13, talked to MVI News appealing to the public to come forward with any information that might explain Ephraigm’s tragic death.
Mariang Mackilling, an FB moniker, and Ephraigm’s aunt Dolly, his mom’s elder sister, posted on Facebook: “He had previous threats before that’s why he left Vancouver and lived with his mother, my sister here in Toronto for a year. You know, envious people of the person he was.
He lived a healthy promising life. Why would he jeopardize that lifestyle? He was a much disciplined person, had a good job, nice car, girls chasing him.
He was a smart kid, good looking and good physique. There should be more answers than questions.
Ephraigm Flores.
There are people out there that knew what really occurred. Believe me, in due time, one of them will come forward and speak the truth to set her/him free of that guilty conscience. In God, we trust! Please, read and share this post for the world to know. We thank you all.”
She also posted on the GoFundMe website: “I want to thank all of the generous people, relatives, friends and strangers alike for these overwhelming moral and financial support that our family has received. My heart aches for my dearest nephew’s untimely departure in this physical world. Words aren’t enough to express the pain I feel, the whole family feels, let alone my younger sister Gloria Flores feels losing EPHRAIGM in a very disturbing manner. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare. EPHRAIGM had touched so many lives, so many hearts and had cared for needy people the best he could. As an accomplished Registered Nurse and a Regulated Immigration Consultant, he was a taxpayer and a good citizen. For those who tainted his reputation failed to paint him otherwise. God is good, God will judge and persecute. The day will come and justice will be served… Rest in peace my nephew. You’ll forever be remembered as a vibrant young man with a heart of gold. I love you, Tita Doll.”
GoFundMe raised a total of $18,000 from 310 people in just eight days. The fund raising, reportedly to finance the travel of the deceased remains back to Toronto, is now closed.
Ephraigm was well loved amongst family and friends. He had a smile that would light up a room. His three brothers viewed him as the one they all looked up to and the brother to beat.
Usually, the top of his class in schooling, a bright future was waiting for Ephraigm back in Toronto since he graduated from Immigration Consulting with flying colors. He was also a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked at the Rosewood Care Centre in Richmond, BC, for 2 years prior to relocating to Toronto.
Known for his healthy eating habits and daily trips to the gym to workout, Ephraigm was in Vancouver visiting his father and was due to return home in Toronto on January 12. His parents are separated.
On January 8, MVI News joined the Flores family and hundreds of loving friends for Ephraigm’s “Celebration of Life”. This was an open casket viewing with full house all day long at the Brighouse United Church in Richmond.
Ironically, January 8 is also Ephraigm’s 24th birthday. Once the “Celebration of Life” was over family and friends went next door to celebrate his birthday with a birthday cake and sing-a-long. Afterwards, Ephraigm was taken away in a hearse for the trip back to Toronto where he will be buried.
“Difficult roads can lead you to beautiful places” – Ephraigm’s Facebook post, August 2015.
Ephraigm Flores’s death is still under investigation. If anyone has any information that may lead to an explanation as to what happened please inform the Richmond RCMP.
