BURSTAs the trial of Vitali Stefanski rolls on in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops, efforts are mounting to provide support for the family of his suspected victim, Tatjana Stefanski.
And a former co-worker of the slain Lumby mother is stepping up to double fundraising amounts for the family.
Jen de Bourcier launched an online GoFundMe campaign in support of Tatjana’s partner, Jason Gaudreault, and Tatjana’s two children over whom Gaudreault holds legal guardianship.
De Bourcier has known the family since before Tatjana’s death in April 2024. She and Gaudreault have been working together to create a foundation in Tatjana’s name.
During a break in Stefanski’s second-degree murder trial Thursday, June 4, she told The Morning Star that when the trial was moved from Vernon to Kamloops late last year, it became apparent that Gaudreault would suffer financial hardship.
She explained that Gaudreault is in the process of getting his powder coating business off the ground, and his business now has to be curtailed while he attends the estimated five-week trial, all while he continues to care for the kids, the youngest being 11 years old.
“Just observing and talking to Jason and just knowing them all, I just decided that I wanted to start a fundraiser for them,” de Bourcier said.
Launched May 23, prior to the start of the trial, the GoFundMe has raised just over $8,600 as of Thursday afternoon.
De Bourcier has been accompanying Gaudreault at the Kamloops courthouse and has seen firsthand how taxing the court proceedings have been on him. On Wednesday, the court was shown graphic images of Tatjana’s body and the crime scene that was discovered down an embankment along Mabel Lake Road on April 14, 2024.
It’s a “really intense and heavy emotional experience day after day,” de Bourcier said.
And because he’s in the court gallery and not able to attend to his business as much, de Bourcier said Gaudreault will “likely have to close his business down” for some periods of time, adding financial strain on top of emotional hardship.
Matching $10K donation
While funds have been coming in through the GoFundMe somewhat steadily, a former colleague of Tatjana is looking to make an even greater impact.
Miranda Jarvie is providing a matching donation of up to $10,000 to support the fundraising campaign.
“It blew me away,” de Bourcier said of when Jarvie told her the amount she was willing to give.
“I am donating to Tatjana’s family because no one should have to endure the kind of tragedy they are facing,” Jarvie said in a statement.
She said Tatjana was one of the first people she connected with through work when she moved to the Okanagan.
“I believe it is important to show up for people in their darkest moments,” Jarvie added.
“While no amount of money can undo what has happened or fill the void left behind, I hope this matching contribution can provide a small measure of support and help ease some of the financial burdens they now face. I encourage others to donate and support Tatjana’s children, (and) her partner Jason who is fighting tirelessly in hopes this doesn’t continue to happen to others.”
Jarvie asks people to imagine driving from Lumby to Kamloops for five weeks straight to attend an emotionally difficult trial while taking care of kids and trying to run a business to support the family. She asks people to also imagine the strain on the children who had to testify about their father.
“No one should have to,” she said.
“I urge everyone to please show your care and support when it is most needed, which is right now.”
Jarvie will match the GoFundMe dollar to dollar up to $10,000. To contribute, visit https://gofund.me/e00624ed4.
The trial is not sitting Thursday and Friday. On Monday the Crown will call its final witness, a pathologist, to take the stand.
The court previously heard from Crown witnesses that Vitali Stefanski emerged shoeless and dishevelled from the woods while police were towing away his bloodied Audi car and admitted to police that he killed Tatjana.
Vitali’s second-degree murder charge has yet to be proven, and the defence has yet to present its case to the jury.