Josie Tomajin came to Canada 10 years to work as a nanny and build a new life for her family.
On August 8, Tomajin was attacked on the street outside her home in the 6700 block of Elwell Street in Burnaby. She was found lying in the middle of the street about a block from her home. Tomajin was taken to hospital where she later died.
Now her son, Benedict Tomajin, 24, who was reunited with her after a six-year waiting period has has been charged with second-degree murder in his mother’s death.
Tomajin, 45 was working for the family of Craig Hodge, a former newspaper photographer, when the incident happened.
“This is an absolute tragedy..she was a wonderful person who was trying so hard to bring her family to Canada,” said a friend, adding the community is reeling from the news.
“It took about six years for the mother to get her son to come to Canada..now this has happened,” she said.
Under Canada’s live-in caregiver program, caregivers are eligible for landed immigrant status and family reunification. But in Tomajin’s case that took six years.
Tomajin’s husband is in the Philippines.
“This is a truly unfortunate story regarding a lady who came to Canada as a Live-In Caregiver.  Finally, after six years, she was reunited with her son, now 20 years old.  The question has been brought up of whether or not the mental anguish of a child apart from his mother for so many years may have contributed to his state,” a caregiver website noted.