Remembering Dylan and Oliver

Rick Madonik - Staff Photographer

Friends, with the help of family and City of Toronto, dedicated a park bench and a newly planted tree in Ramsden Park today. The two young men honored, or more appropriately, remembered, by the park additions are Dylan Ellis and Oliver Martin. You might recall, they are the two young men shot and killed two years ago as they sat in their car waiting for a friend to bring a set of keys to the car. In the backseat, and witness to the carnage, was a girlfriend of one of the guys.

The murders have gone unsolved. There are no suspects to speak of. There have been no arrests despite a hefty reward announced shortly after the murders. The pain, and the loss, that tragic night brought was evident on faces in the crowd - most especially on the mother's of the victims. At the same time, the bench and tree will bring some comfort to the two families devastated. The park is close to where both boys grew up and will serve as a reminder of their lives, and the importance the young men had for many who knew them.

Hopefully, one day soon, the person(s) responsible for ending two young lives will face justice.

The following is a selection of pictures from the event.

Nelly Vasilian (left) and daughter Mariama PcPhee, survey the bench prior to the dedication. Mariama's son and Dylan Ellis were good friends.

Karen Ellis (left) speaks to the assembled crowd, a tear running down her cheek. Beside her is Susan Martin. Their sons Dylan Ellis and Oliver Martin were killed two years ago while sitting in their car.

Alan Dudeck, step father of Oliver Martin, about to speak before the assembled crowd after removing the fencing from the park bench.

Friends, who didn't want to give their names, during the dedication ceremony.

Susan Martin is hugged by friend Jill Dickson after the dedication of the bench and tree.