Friends and family of Ryden Brogden are grieving the loss of a brother and son who they say loved with his whole heart.
Brogden, 27, was stabbed outside a Banff drinking establishment Sept. 3 and was taken to hospital where he later died of his injuries.
An update from the RCMP on Sept. 4 stated 20-year-old John Sproule, a resident of Lake Country, B.C., has been charged with second degree murder.
Sproule is scheduled to appear in Canmore provincial court Oct. 5.
A GoFundMe page started Sept. 8 by the family of Brogden's sister-in-law described the man as a humble and kind person who loved all animals.
"Ry would help anyone, anytime, he was truly a genuine soul and loved with his whole heart, with a passion for fly fishing and photography," the crowdfunding description reads. "If you were lucky enough to be called a friend he meant it.
"Our lives are forever changed without him, the loss has left us all brokenhearted."
The fundraiser, which has raised more than $17,000 in less than 24 hours, will be used to continue Brogden's not-for-profit fly fishing apparel company FlyCo and to feed and rescue dogs and cats, who he would affectionately call "critters."
The family said it's devastated and trying to cope with the pain of losing him.
As donations pour in, so do the memories, with one contributor writing she remembered playing Mary opposite Brogden's Joseph in the kindergarten nativity play. Others took the time to remark on his authenticity, selflessness and passion.
The fundraiser can be viewed here: Fundraiser by Simard Family : Our Forever Angel Ryden (gofundme.com)
