‘She was thoughtful, kind, loving’: Tori Dunn memorial bench unveiled in Surrey

The family of slain B.C. woman Tori Dunn is honouring her memory with a park bench.

Surrounded by friends, family and supporters, Aron Dunn sat beside a newly unveiled memorial bench Friday, honouring his daughter at one of her favourite parks.

“I know she loved this spot, so it’s a beautiful sight,” Dunn said.

His daughter, 30-year-old Tori Dunn, was found with life-threatening injuries inside her home on 182A Street in Surrey’s Port Kells neighbourhood on June 16, 2024. She was taken to hospital, where she died.

“She was thoughtful, kind, loving,” Aron Dunn told reporters after the bench at Mud Bay Park was unveiled.

Dunn said he’s faced all sorts of emotions since the tragedy occurred, but the support of others has kept him going.

“I might not be here if it wasn’t for the people who have supported me,” he said.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said the gathering was an opportunity to reflect on Dunn’s life and legacy.

“Today is a day for Tori and a day to remember her,” Locke said.

Adam Mann, who was 41 at the time of his arrest on June 28, 2024, will stand trial for second-degree murder in October.

The case has drawn national attention, as Mann had been released on bail for another alleged violent offence just 11 days before the killing.

Dunn’s family has since called for reforms to Canada’s bail system, urging both provincial and federal governments to take action.

“My family is not the only family who has gone through these sorts of things,” said Dunn.

In October, the federal government passed first reading of proposed bail and sentencing reform legislation.

Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko said the family’s advocacy has had a broader impact.

“Part of the light she has brought to our community and to our country is the strength of her family, who rallied during a time of extreme loss,” Sturko said.

Dunn will face his daughter’s accused killer in court for several weeks for the trial by jury.

“I don’t know how I’m going to react to that,” he said. “But we’ll get through it.”