Vigil for slain Winnipeg model draws 200 - Action News
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Manitoba

Vigil for slain Winnipeg model draws 200

Some 200 people gathered for a candlelight vigil Monday night to remember Johnathen James Felix, who was found dead in Winnipeg on the weekend, shot to death.
A crowd of mourners gathers Monday at the site where Johnathen James Felix's body was found on the weekend. (CBC)

Some200 people gatheredin Winnipeg for a candlelight vigil Monday night to remember Johnathen James Felix, who was found dead on the weekend.

Johnathen James Felix, 21, had dreams of modelling and acting, as well as enlisting in the army, according to his family. (Tyson Anderson Photography)

Police said the 21-year-old model was likely shot to death, though an exact cause of death is still being determined. His death was thecity's ninth homicideof the year.

The vigil was held near the same place Felix's body was found, in a yard between two houses in the 200 block of Balmoral Street, just south of the University of Winnipeg.

His aunt, Dolly Felix, said he was a wonderful person with a generous spirit.

"Johnathen touched a lot of people's hearts.This just goes to show what kind of special individual he was," she said about the number of people that gathered at the vigil.

Felix's cousin, Jazzmine Felix, said the young model had movie-star good looks and a loving personality. He could put a smile on anybody's face, and he will be missed, she said.

A fence near the spot where Felix's body was found has been turned into a makeshift memorial. (CBC)

Family members told CBC News that Felix was in an apartment building early Saturday morning when he may have went outside to complete a drug deal for someone else.

His body was found across the street hours later.

Felix had just moved back to Winnipeg from B.C. and had dreams not only of modelling and acting, but of enlisting in the military and attendinguniversity, according to family members.

They insisthe wasn't involved in gangs, though police say they have not yet ruled that out.

Vigil for Sinclair

Another vigil will be held Tuesday night, this time for Carolyn Marie Sinclair,a woman whose body was found in a Winnipeg back lane on the weekend.

The 25-year-old woman's body was foundSaturday near a dumpster behind an apartment complex in the 700 block of Notre Dame Avenue, between Toronto and Victor streets.

Sinclair's family had been searching for her since Dec. 13. That was when they last heard from her, when she told them she would be home for Christmas.

Thevigil will startat 5 p.m.in the area whereSinclair's body was found.