A Lake Country man, known to family and friends for his sensitivity and caring for others, has been killed in Haiti.

According to a Facebook post by friend Robert Atwood, Ben Elias was killed earlier this month while travelling between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where Ben was originally from.

害羞草研究所淏en died in the same way that he lived, defending a loved one. As his cousin was being mugged, Ben intervened and was murdered for his actions.害羞草研究所�

The post notes that the 害羞草研究所渄etails of the event are foggy and likely to change or never be fully understood.害羞草研究所�

Atwood wrote fondly of his friend.

害羞草研究所淏en was incredibly intelligent. He loved to be at the centre of debate, a master at verbal sparring. Ben also had the rare talent of being able to change his mind, which led to me frequently changing mine. He was passionate, gregarious, sensitive, and caring.害羞草研究所�

Ben returned to Haiti often, splitting his time between Canada and the country of his birth. Working in Canada, Ben would return home, sponsoring children, schools, and his community, according to Atwood害羞草研究所檚 post.

Ben害羞草研究所檚 body is currently in Haiti and a fundraiser has been started to support bringing him back to Canada, pay for funeral costs and to continue supporting his philanthropic efforts.

The states that control of the fund will be turned over to Ben害羞草研究所檚 family once they are ready.

害羞草研究所淢y heart goes to the entire Elias clan, the community that Ben cherished so much in Haiti, and our small group of boyhood friends that will forever be forced to talk about Ben and not with him,害羞草研究所� Atwood害羞草研究所檚 post concludes.

READ MORE: Candles burn in memory of fallen Enderby firefighter

READ MORE: His last words were 害羞草研究所業 love you害羞草研究所�: Sister mourns brother found dead in Northwest B.C. tent

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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