Hundreds gather to remember slain jogger

Hundreds of mourners packed a building at the University of British Columbia on Saturday to say goodbye to Wendy Ladner-Beaudry.

The jogger's body was found on April 3 at about 2:40 p.m. PT on a trail in Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC, close to SW Marine Drive and Camosun Street, on Vancouver's west side.

The mother of two, 53,was remembered as a caring and happy person with a passion for sports.

Her husband, Michel Beaudry, told the memorial service he was fortunate to have spent three decades with the woman he loved.

Ladner-Beaudry's daughter, Jenna, said she would always remember playing field hockey on the same team as her mom.

Victoria Johnstone, a long-time family friend, said it was a day of healing.

"And her service, I find for myself and talking to others it's uplifting. The whole afternoon was so uplifting," Johnstone said.

Fear has gripped the community since Ladner-Beaudry's body was found facedown on a trail near the park's entrance.

Hundreds ran through the wooded area Friday to pay homage to Ladner-Beaudry and send a message to her killer.

'Keep using the woods'

Vancouver Councillor Suzanne Anton said Saturday that's exactly what Ladner-Beaudry would have wanted.

"She'd want to say that we need to look after each other, but to not be afraid and to go through life gravely, and certainly to take back the woods," Anton said.

"We need to keep using the woods and be out in our communities. The more people are out and about, and walking and participating, and enjoying life and being part of life, the less things like this can happen. But it is a very shocking thing and quite a mystery."

No arrests have been in Ladner-Beaudry's death, and no suspects have been identified.

Police, who have interviewed hundreds of potential witnesses in the neighbourhood, are still trying to determine whether her killing was a random or targeted attack.