Denise Allick had everything to live for, say friends.
The Victoria woman full-time nurse, and a friend who would drop everything for those she loved. But more important than anything to Allick was being a mom to her 12-year-old son.
“That boy was her pride and joy. She loved being a mom. She loved that boy like nothing else,” Allick’s best friend Nathan Moss told CHEK News from his home in Victoria. “Denise would never leave her son.”
Allick, 40, was found dead inside a multi-million dollar home on Eighth Street in south Nanaimo at around 10 p.m. on June 20 by RCMP officers, who had been called after receiving reports of a loud, violent incident. Simon Baker, 21, was arrested nearby and has been charged with second-degree murder in her death.
Her death has left the community, her friends and local law enforcement baffled. Many are still wondering why the 40-year-old woman was in Nanaimo and whether she even knew Simon.
“We don’t know why Miss Allick was there. We don’t know why she was in Nanaimo. We don’t know if they knew each other,” Const. Sherri Wade told CHEK News back on June 22.
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Moss said he didn’t know Allick was going to Nanaimo that night, nor does he think she knew 21-year-old Simon Baker, who is now charged with second-degree murder.
Moss said when he learned his best friend had been murdered, he felt like he’d been stabbed in the chest and wishes he could have been there for his friend.
“No matter what, we had each other’s backs,” he said.
The Victoria man now hopes to keep Allick’s memory alive — not as a victim of homicide, but as a beautiful, magnetic woman with a huge smile, and heart to match.
A GoFundMe has also been launched by Allick’s family to help pay for her funeral. To visit or donate to the GoFundMe campaign, click here.
Meanwhile, Baker’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 5.
Skye Ryan
