Neighbour remembers Ottawa homicide victim as ‘an amazing person’

Iqaluit fundraiser Saturday to help cover funeral expenses and travel costs for Jolene Arreak’s family

Residents in an Ottawa neighbourhood were shaken by the Christmas Day killing of Jolene Arreak, who was originally from Pond Inlet. The homicide took place on Spadina Avenue, about one block from Somerset Street in Ottawa. (Photo by Daron Letts)

By Daron Letts

Jolene Arreak, a former Pond Inlet resident who was killed on Christmas Day in Ottawa, is being mourned by neighbours still reeling from the news.

“We don’t even understand and honestly, Jolene was not the person who I thought of when I saw it was a female deceased [in the media],” said Julie Plourde, who lives in the same complex where Arreak died, in the city’s Hintonburg neighbourhood.

“We would have never thought it would happen to Jolene. She was just an amazing person. She loved everybody.”

The Ottawa Police Service charged Manasi Foo, a 35-year-old man also from Ottawa, with second-degree murder in Arreak’s death.

Foo was also charged with the attempted murder of a second person, identified in court documents as Ji Pang Foo, who police said was treated in hospital and released.

Police did not provide further information about the second victim, including the person’s gender, age or relationship to either the homicide victim or the accused.

Ottawa police did not say whether the victims and the accused knew each other.

Manasi Foo appeared in court Dec. 26. He remains in custody and his next court date is Jan. 10.

Plourde said she believes Arreak had a partner or boyfriend and that word around the neighbourhood was that the two were happy together.

“I’ve heard that he was a really good guy and she really loved him and they were great for each other,” she said.

Two other neighbours expressed sorrow over the incident, but declined to comment for this story.

“Nighttime is a little harder right now just because of everything,” said Plourde.

“You can’t beat around the bush with my kids, you know, and they hear things and the news and the radio and stuff, so it’s hard to hide. But I mean, they’re doing OK. They know that they’re safe and that everything’s OK and Jolene’s up in heaven.”

In Iqaluit, residents are planning a toonie sale and 50/50 draw fundraiser to help Arreak’s family cover funeral expenses.

The fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Qaggiavuut office at house 411, co-organizer Maggie Qappik said in a phone interview.

“People can go there to get tickets,” she said, adding businesses are also being asked for donations.

Police say Arreak was killed at around 6:10 p.m. on Dec. 25 at a home on Spadina Avenue in the Hintonburg neighbourhood, a residential area on the north side of Highway 417 about one kilometre northeast of the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

Information on the cause of death or the circumstances that led to it have not been released.

Arreak is Ottawa’s 25th homicide victim of 2024.

 

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(3) Comments:

  1. Posted by Tiana on

    I’m so heartbroken to hear of the passing of my longtime friend Jolene, thoughts and prayers go to all her friends and family in Iqaluit and Pond.

  2. Posted by Lesley Giles on

    RIP Jolene
    My sympathys to her Partner as well as her family, friends and anyone anywhere who loved her. I’m so sorry this has happened. It has come as a shock to everyone.
    Smoke uplifted in her honour. I can only ask our Creator to embrace Jolene’s loved ones as she passes on into the spirit world. God bless her soul. AMEN.

  3. Posted by John Houston on

    This news really took me by surprise. Jolene Arreak was an amazing person, with such a warm heart and so much talent. I know she will be missed my many.

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