'She was the random victim': Son speaks out after mom's fatal stabbing in Laval
Nearly two weeks after 46-year-old Irina Draghicescu was killed, flowers are placed at the scene where she died in Laval last month.
Police say the woman was stabbed repeatedly while going for a walk in a park on May 29.
"There's not a single minute that passes that I don't think about her," said her son, Robert Draghicescu.
He has decided to speak about what happened. He lived with his mother in their Laval apartment for 22 years.
"I've been living with a sense of emptiness in my body. There's something missing, and there's also something missing where I live because there used to be somebody always with me and now this, this person is gone," he said.
He says police told him it was a random attack.
"It was shocking to know that it was just a random attack. As simple as that. It could have been anybody. And my mother didn't have enemies, so she was the random victim," he said.
Laval police arrested 20-year-old Konstantinos Tsagaroulis, who is facing a charge of first-degree murder. The accused is back in court on June 20.
Draghicescu is unsure if he wants to attend future court procedures.
"For me, he doesn’t deserve to be in my line of sight. I’ve seen his face on videos and photos but to see him in real life that would be something different," he said.
Relatives have set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for the cost of the funeral for Irina, who leaves behind two children.
"I've been the voice for many other people. Like I said, everybody is shocked. Everybody. Many people don't have the courage or the strength anymore to talk in front of a camera but I'll be the voice for them," the grieving son said.
"And I'll also be the voice for my mom," he said. "She can't just pass away and nobody talks for her. And I'll be the one who talks."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6942519.1719441123!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
More victims come forward in Ottawa rental scam
More people in Ottawa have come forward who say they've fallen victim to a real estate scam, with scammers posing as real estate agents trying to rent real properties.
Bill Cobbs, 'Air Bud' and 'The Sopranos' actor, dies at 90
Bill Cobbs, the veteran character actor who became a ubiquitous and sage screen presence as an older man, has died. He was 90.
'Worrying rumours' of planned 'non-consensual sexual acts' at after-prom party prompts Quebec police investigation
Police south of Montreal are investigating, and a school centre has asked parents not to allow their children to attend an after-prom party, after 'worrying rumours that unsavoury events were be planned by certain individuals related to drugs and non-consensual sexual acts.'
Canucks season ticket holder speaks out after membership revoked
Peter Wortman has been a Vancouver Canucks season ticket holder for 33 years, and was planning to sign on again for 2024/2025. But earlier this month, he got an email saying his full-season membership had been revoked, because the team believes he’s a ticket broker.
Military flees Bolivia government palace after coup attempt fails, general taken into custody
Armoured vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia's government palace Wednesday in an apparent coup attempt, but President Luis Arce vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander who ordered troops to stand down.
Oilers stars McDavid, Draisaitl played through injuries in playoffs: coach
The head coach of the Edmonton Oilers says some of the team's top stars were playing through major injuries during their Stanley Cup playoff run.
Canadian businessman Frank Stronach facing new charges in connection with historical sexual assault investigation
Canadian businessman Frank Stronach is facing eight new charges after police say they've identified additional victims as part of an investigation into historical sexual assault allegations.
What you should know about the tick-borne disease anaplasmosis
Cases of a tick-borne illness called anaplasmosis are on the rise globally, and that includes across Canada. Biology professor Vett Lloyd says it is important to understand the risk factors for contracting anaplasmosis, and recognize symptoms of an infection, as the disease becomes more prevalent.
'I'm sorry, God': Accused at Coutts border blockade cried when protest abandoned
Anthony Olienick, sitting alone in an empty police interrogation room, breaks down in tears when he learns the COVID-19 protest blockade at Coutts, Alta., has disbanded in part because of his arrest.