A 24-year-old woman who died following a Richmond Hill, Ont., house fire that also claimed the life of her 11-year-old niece is being remembered for the “boundless love and light” that her family says she radiated at all times.
Helya Bahari-Kashani died on Sept. 3, two days after an early-morning fire that police say was deliberately set ravaged her family’s Skywood Drive home. She was 24.
Three other members of the family were critically injured in the blaze but are slowly recovering, a family spokesperson told CP24.com.
“Helya means the sun and she lived up to her name and more. She was radiant. Any place she walked into, she just brought so much light and love,” said Melody Yazdi, the woman’s first cousin.
Police have said that they are investigating the Sept. 1 fire at the family’s home as a homicide, though no arrests have been made to date.
‘She was truly extraordinary,’ says cousin
Reflecting on Bahari-Kashani’s life, Yazdi said that she was the “most selfless, compassionate, and empathetic” person she ever knew.
“She had an innate ability to make everyone feel so seen, so heard, and so safe. … She truly was extraordinary,” she said.
Bahari-Kashani was born in Iran. She came to Canada as a child with her family and lived in Richmond Hill for most of her life, graduating from Richmond Hill High School.
After spending a year at York University, she transferred to UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) and had recently earned a pre-med degree in psychology along with several awards and scholarships. Her family says that she was very active in campus life at UCLA and had worked as a research assistant and volunteered at the David Geffen School of Medicine.
Bahari-Kashani returned home to Richmond Hill this summer to spend some time with her family and study for a standardized medical school admission test. Her plan was to take that exam and continue her medical studies in the United States in the spring, with the goal of becoming a doctor, her cousin said.
“Helya had a deep passion for medicine, for helping people, and saving lives. It’s all she ever wanted to do,” Yazdi said.
Victim’s organs donated, saving 5 lives
While Bahari-Kashani won’t be able to give back to the community as a physician, Yazdi said her cousin’s legacy will continue as the lives of up to 75 people will be improved through her donated organs. Her heart went to a young child, while one of her kidney and pancreas went to another woman. A young man received her liver and another woman got her other kidney. Bahari-Hashani’s eyes, skin, and bones were also donated, she said.
“It’s so beautiful. I cannot be more proud of who she was on this earth, but also in her passing. … Helya continues to look out for others even in death,” Yazdi said.
“Her impact is going to last forever in this world. She’s going to live on forever. … Her light won’t fade. It’ll live on and shine so bright.”
Bahari-Kashani’s 11-year-old niece who died in the fire has been identified by the family as Rosa.
A funeral for Rosa is set to take place on Oct. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Aurora Cemetery, 14253 Yonge St.
Family, friends, and community members are being invited to join the family in “honouring and remembering her short but beautiful life.”
A notice for the funeral was sent to CP24 by the child’s mother, who is also Bahari-Kashani’s sister, Golbarg Bahari.
Like her aunt, Rosa’s organs have also been donated.
“Through organ donation, Rosa continues to give the gift of life and hope to others,” the notice states.
Bahari-Kashani’s mother and father, ages 59 and 70, along with her 42-year-old sister, were critically injured in the fire but are now slowly recovering, Yazdi said.
“The pain they’re enduring is nothing that the hospital can heal,” she said.
“It’s hard to imagine the loss they’re going through.”
A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to honour Helya, and support her parents’ healing and their fight for justice.
The community also came together for a vigil on Sept. 15 in Richmond Hill to honour Rosa and Helya and show support for their surviving family members.
Investigation is ongoing, no arrests made: YRP
So far, York Regional Police police have not arrested, nor publicly identified, a suspect in the arson.
CP24 previously reported that a red gas canister was seen near the home following the fire.
“The case is still very active with investigators completing numerous investigative steps,” Const. James Dickson told C24 earlier this week,
Dickson urged anyone with information who has not yet spoken with the police to come forward. People can also contact Crime Stoppers, if they wish to share information anonymously about this case.
