British ColumbiaDozens of people gathered on Saturday to honour 21-year-old Alexa Knodel, a young mother, gymnastics coach and lash technician, who was shot and killed in Penticton, B.C., in June. RCMP say they are investigating the case as a homicide but so far no charges have been laid. RCMP are treating Knodel’s death as a homicide and say case is being prepared for charge assessmentTiffany Goodwein · CBC News · Posted: Dec 07, 2025 4:34 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.A vigil was held Dec. 6, to honour Alexa Knodel, who was shot and killed in Penticton on June 7. (Tiffany Goodwein/ CBC )Candles lit up the night sky, as dozens of people walked together to remember Alexa Knodel, a 21-year old woman who was shot and killed in Penticton in June. The vigil was held Saturday, on what would have been the young mother’s 22nd Birthday. “There is no family, that ever, ever thinks, that they will lose someone so young,” said Barb Park, one of Kndoel’s grandmothers. “She has a young son. So her life in many ways was just beginning for her.”Dozens of people walked along Lakeshore Drive in Penticton, B.C., on Dec. 6 to remember Alexa Knodel. (Tiffany Goodwein/CBC )Knodel was killed at her apartment along Lakeshore Drive on June 7. The case is being investigated as a homicide. RCMP say the investigation is ongoing but so far no charges have been laid. “The Penticton RCMP Investigative Services is preparing the case for charge assessment. Updates will follow when appropriate,” the force said in an emailed statement. Not an easy waitLoved ones say the seven months, along with a lack of closure and justice, has been hard. “We want to see it happen swiftly but at the same time we know that it is a process and it takes time but it doesn’t make it any easier,” said Ozwald Norris, Alexa’s cousin. Alexa Knodel’s son was just a year old when she was shot and killed. (Submitted photo)Knodel’s son was just a year old when she was killed. Norris said her son was everything to her, and those closest to her are doing what they can to help. “We are very upset and devastated that Alexa won’t be there during his growth and his life but we do know that we want to honour Alexa and make sure that her son knew how much Alexa loved him,” Norris said. The 21-year -old is being remembered for her positive spirit and kind heart. “She was generous, she was altruistic, she embraced life, she was always smiling I don’t think I have ever seen her not smiling and enjoying life,” said Monica Metzler, Knodel’s Grandmother. Monica Metzler, Alexa Knodel’s grandmother, holds a sign honouring her granddaughter. (Tiffany Goodwein/ CBC )“She was an amazing mother, she was an amazing sister. She has two young sisters out in Langley, and a stepmom who absolutely wish they could have been here,” added Park. Faith George, who attended the vigil, first met Knodel in Kindergarten at Queen’s Park Elementary. They were close friends for 17 years. “She was my person. I went to her for everything and I knew that there was no judgement. She was the one person in this world I knew I could fully trust,” she said. George was in Vancouver on a shopping trip when she found out over the phone that Alexa was killed. “I just remember falling to the ground, and crying,” she said. Aside from being a beloved friend, and relative, the young mother served as a gymnastics coach, and worked as a lash technician. And just like the candles, people at the vigil say she was a light in the darkness. “Alexa was a light for a lot of our lives, and she was leading us through the darkest of times and to be able to symbolize that with our walk and with the candles, I think that’s how Alexa should be remembered,” Ozwald said.ABOUT THE AUTHORTiffany Goodwein is an award-winning journalist focused on covering Penticton and the south Okanagan area of British Columbia. She previously spent six years reporting in Alberta and is happy to be back home in B.C., where she grew up. You can contact her at tiffany.goodwein@cbc.ca
Vigil held for 21-year-old mom shot and killed in Penticton, B.C.
