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Remembering Taylor

A memorial walk to remember a slain Okanagan teen will be held on a different day this year.

It was four years ago on Halloween day when 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest was attacked and killed in a senseless murder that rocked the tight-knit farming community of Armstrong.

Since that day, Taylor's mother, Marie, has organized a memorial walk on Oct. 31, but this year the walk has been moved to Nov. 1.

“I don't like the idea of people having to choose between taking their child trick or treating, going to the bon fire or attending the walk,” said Marie.

“I don't want the ones who want to attend but can't to feel torn.”

The route of the memorial walk has also been changed. People will gather at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church at 6 p.m. before heading down Pleasant Valley Road and onto Taylor's memorial trail.

“It's to sort of walk the route Taylor took that night,” said Marie.

People are also urged to bring a candle to the event.

Matthew Foerster was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Taylor and sentenced to 25 years in jail.

Foerster is appealing the conviction and a hearing is expected to begin on June 10, 2016.



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