'He was such a kind person': Joshua Bennett's mother is seeking justice for her son
KITCHENER -
Felisha Bennett is speaking out and ready to find justice for her late son Joshua Bennett – even if that means handing out pamphlets herself.
The body of Bennett’s 18-year-old son was found dead on a Kitchener trail in the area of Paulander Drive at around 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 24.
An autopsy determined Bennett died from multiple stab wounds.
“He didn't really let anything bother him,” said Bennett. “He was such a kind person, he was a helper.”
Those memories are all she has left.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) was called to the scene for reports of an injured man.
In a statement to CTV News, WRPS said there are no updates at this time; however, the investigation is active and ongoing.
WRPS is asking anyone with information to contact them, Crime Stoppers, or submit anonymous tips online.
The distraught mother says she plans to go to the spot her son was found next week to personally canvas for information.
“Somebody saw something. Somebody heard something. As a mother I have a right to know what happened to my son,” said Bennett. “I’m going to just hand out flyers to anybody that's out there and put his face up everywhere. I want them to see Josh is not a forgotten case.”
Originally from Etobicoke Bennett, said her son was enrolled in the Carpentry and Renovation Technician program at Conestoga College with dreams of building up his community.
“He said, ‘You know mom? I just want to build my city,’” she said. “You know when we would drive by certain things he was like, ‘I want to one day building something like that.’”
One of six children, his family and friends said Joshua was a person everybody could turn to.
“He was like our older brother,” said Nolyn Mariani a friend of Joshua’s. “He looked after us, always made sure we were good.”
Osayiuwa Omorgei, another of Bennett’s friends, told CTV News the young man was rarely angry.
“He was a good guy, like he was always happy like he was never usually angry. You never saw him angry at anything. When you saw him you never thought of anything bad,” said Omorgei.
Bennett said the outpouring of community support has meant the world to her and her family.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. President Joe Biden to meet Trudeau, address Parliament today
After two years in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, and is waking up to a full day of events in the capital.
Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years
Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
Utah bans kids from accessing social media during evening hours, without parent consent
Children and teens in Utah would lose access to social media apps such as TikTok if they don't have parental consent and face other restrictions under a first-in-the-nation law designed to shield young people from the addictive platforms.
Protests continue in France; King Charles III visit postponed
Protesters angry at French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms continued with scattered actions on Friday, as the unrest across the country led officials to postpone a planned state visit by King Charles III.
Make sure to check your grocery bill otherwise you may pay more: Survey
A majority of Canadians have seen a mistake on their grocery receipts in the last year, according to a new survey conducted by Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.
Asteroid to hurtle past Earth closer than the moon this weekend
An asteroid discovered just last week will pass closer to the Earth than the orbit of the moon this weekend, an occurrence so rare it happens only once in a decade, according to NASA.
Opposition parties affirm call for interference inquiry, amid questions over MP Han Dong
Amid renewed questions over the pervasiveness of alleged interference by China in Canadian elections and affairs broadly, opposition MPs voted Thursday afternoon to affirm a parliamentary committee's call for the federal government to strike a public inquiry.
Eastern Ont. mayor wants more help from feds to manage influx of asylum seekers, supports STCA renegotiation
As the federal government looks to renegotiate the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S., an eastern Ontario mayor says his city needs more help from Ottawa to deal with the influx of asylum seekers arriving through irregular crossings like Roxham Road.
London
-
Woman suffers 'critical injuries' after London house fire
A woman is in hospital with critical injuries after an overnight house fire in north London. Crews were called to the scene on Adelaide Street near Dufferin Avenue around 1:20 a.m.
-
Special weather statement for all of southern Ontario
A special weather statement is in effect for all of southern Ontario, including London-Middlesex, Huron-Perth, Sarnia-Lambton and Oxford-Brant.
-
'Suspicious' fire in Aylmer
A fire in Aylmer is being called “suspicious” by police. The blaze broke out at a new-build home on Aspen Parkway that nobody was living in yet.
Windsor
-
Specials weather statement for Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent
A special weather statement is in effect for all of southern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
-
WECHU hopes to announce new chief medical officer of health 'in the very near future'
After a year-and-a-half without, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) says it’s narrowing in on hiring a permanent chief medical officer of health.
-
Negotiations for new Ambassador Bridge truck plaza in Sandwich Town 'very much a live issue'
When the permit to construct a replacement span for the Ambassador Bridge expired in the summer of 2022, many thought that would bring an end to a 20-year saga of boarded up homes in the city’s west end.
Barrie
-
Multiple people appear to be taken into custody in Barrie
A heavy police presence was seen in Barrie Thursday evening outside a residence near Cundles Avenue.
-
Spring takes a backseat to more wintry weather in the forecast
While the calendar says it's spring, Mother Nature isn't quite done with winter just yet.
-
Colleagues jumped into life-saving action when Midland councillor collapsed at town meeting
The quick thinking and immediate actions of two people are credited with possibly saving the life of a Midland councillor after he collapsed at a meeting Wednesday evening.
Northern Ontario
-
North Bay police looking for two men, warn not to approach
North Bay police say they are looking for two men last seen in the downtown area and are asking the public for help in finding them.
-
Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years
Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
-
Supreme court ruling allows for evidence from a northern Ont. unlawful spot check to be admitted in court
The Supreme Court of Canada has reinstated the impaired driving conviction of a northern Ontario man, despite agreeing that his rights were breached during his arrest.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Here's what you need to know about day two of President Biden's visit to Ottawa
Ottawa residents are being told to expect road closures, transit delays and heightened security in the downtown core today, as U.S. President Joe Biden continues his visit to the capital. Here's what you need to know about Biden's second day in Ottawa.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: March 24-26
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec during the final weekend of March.
-
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau to introduce Jill Biden to curling during Ottawa visit
The United States' first lady will be given a sweeping introduction to Canadian sports culture in Ottawa today as Sophie Gregoire Trudeau takes Jill Biden to the curling rink.
Toronto
-
Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
-
Ontario budget shows lower projections for new home construction
Projections in Ontario's budget for housing starts show the province's target to build 1.5 million homes in 10 years slipping further out of reach with each passing year.
-
New Toronto bylaw coming into effect April 1 prohibits feeding of wild animals
The City of Toronto is reminding people to not feed local wildlife, in advance of new bylaw regulations that actually prohibit the practice.
Montreal
-
PM Trudeau, President Biden agree to end 'loophole' in Safe Third Country Agreement: sources
Canada and the United States are negotiating a deal that could see asylum seekers turned back at irregular border crossings across the border, including Roxham Road in Quebec.
-
Lawyer for owner of Old Montreal building speaks out after deadly fire
For the first time, the owner of a building in Old Montreal has responded to questions about the fire — through his lawyer — addressing allegations that the building was unsafe.
-
Man, 21, stabbed and injured in Montreal gas station parking lot
A dispute in the parking lot of a Montreal gas station late Thursday night resulted in the stabbing of 21-year-old man. The injuries sustained by the victim are not life-threatening, police said Friday morning.
Atlantic
-
N.S. government includes record-high health-care spending in 2023-24 budget
The Tim Houston PC government remains firm in their promise they'll fix the health-care system by spending more taxpayer money on health than any previous government before.
-
'I've lost everything': Homeowners lose everything, including pets, after rural N.B. home destroyed by fire
A couple in Shepody, N.B., has lost everything after their home was destroyed by fire Wednesday afternoon.
-
Mix of spring snow, rain closes some Nova Scotia schools Friday
A mix of snow and rain that began Thursday morning and afternoon in the Maritimes has led to some messy road conditions in the region.
Winnipeg
-
Stolen gun recovered in Lac du Bonnet: RCMP
Mounties in Lac du Bonnet have recovered a gun stolen more than two years ago from an RCMP officer's home in Winnipeg.
-
Need a job? These are Manitoba’s most in-demand occupations
Manitoba’s labour force is growing at a rate to supply enough workers for available positions into 2026, according to the province’s labour market outlook.
-
U.S. President Joe Biden to meet Trudeau, address Parliament today
After two years in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, and is waking up to a full day of events in the capital.
Calgary
-
Accused in Chestermere city hall assault case pleads not guilty
The City of Chestermere staff member charged with assaulting another staff member pleaded not guilty Thursday.
-
U.S. President Joe Biden to meet Trudeau, address Parliament today
After two years in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, and is waking up to a full day of events in the capital.
-
Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years
Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
Edmonton
-
Alberta Energy Regulator cites company for causing seismic events in Peace River area
The Alberta Energy Regulator has cited an energy company for causing a series of earthquakes, including the largest recorded tremblor in the province's history.
-
Homicide unit investigating death of woman found on Whitemud Drive
The homicide section is now investigating the death of a 43-year-old woman found on Whitemud Drive earlier this week.
-
Ballistics confirm link between Pizza Hut, Edmonton police shootings
Edmonton Police Service investigators believe the 16-year-old boy who fatally shot two EPS officers is the same person who shot a Pizza Hut employee.
Vancouver
-
'It was disgusting': Downtown Vancouver building smeared with human feces twice this month
Security cameras have captured a woman smearing and throwing human feces at a downtown Vancouver building more than once this month.
-
B.C. woman accused of manslaughter in escort service druggings remanded into custody
Following a court appearance Thursday, a B.C. woman facing more than 20 charges – including manslaughter – in connection with alleged druggings of men who used escort services was remanded into custody.
-
Former doctor the victim of West Vancouver homicide
The man killed in West Vancouver earlier this week was a retired urologist who was involved in several legal disputes over valuable real estate, CTV News has learned.