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Girl makes plea to find dad's killer

Lexus Burkholder-Whitmee, 12, makes public request three years after Chris Whitmee was killed in a Cloverdale club.
Lexus Burkholder-Whitmee with her mother Heather Brecht EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER
Lexus Burkholder-Whitmee with her mother Heather Brecht.


Listing a host of reasons why she misses her dad, 12-year-old Lexus Burkholder-Whitmee made a public plea Wednesday for information leading to the arrest of those who killed him.

Christopher Whitmee was shot at about 11 p.m. May 16, 2009 in the washroom of the Legacy Showroom in the Clover Inn at 176 Street and 57 Avenue.

He was an innocent bystander in what was believed to have been a gang hit.

Whitmee's daughter Lexus of Abbotsford said Wednesday he won't be there for her high school graduation, to teach her how to drive a car, or to help celebrate future birthdays.

"I have to miss out on a lot of things most kids don't even have to think about, because of someone else's decision to go out with a gun that night," she said.

"I miss him every single day... I don't want anyone to have to go through what I'm going through."

Chris WhitmeeTwo things about Chris Whitmee (left) are certain: he loved his daughter, and he loved cars.

The day Lexus was born, she was given the name Chanelle. As Chris held the day-old child,while he was looking out the hospital window, a Lexus pulled up.

That moment, her name was changed forever.

Three years ago, Chris Whitmee walked into the washroom at a club in Cloverdale followed by a gangster with a gun.

Once again, Lexus' life was inalterably changed.

"It's hard, because I know if he wasn't there that night he would probably still be with us," Lexus said. "It's hard to think that something could have changed my whole life."

Heather Brecht said her daughter wakes up in the morning and carries on like Chris is still here. One of the toughest things she had to do was tell Lexus that death is final. He isn't coming back.

Police have several persons of interest in the case, but are looking for anyone with information, even if they believe it to be insignificant, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team tipline at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip on " target="_blank">www.solvecrime.ca