Family of Melanie Hambrook, killed in June police shooting, raising money for funeral costs
Ex-husband Adam Vaananen remembers Hambrook as a loving mother and artist. The family's fundraiser aims to raise $9,000 for funeral costs and support their 16-year-old son.
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The family of Melanie Hambrook, who died after being shot by Calgary police on June 21 during a high-speed chase on Deerfoot Trail, has started an online fundraiser to cover funeral costs and support their teenage son.
Edmonton resident Adam Vaananen, Hambrook's ex-husband, remembers her as a devoted mother who poured all her energy and love into their 16-year-old son, John. The couple had known each other for 20 years and remained in contact because of their son.
"She was a wonderful person as a mother," Vaananen said Friday. "She was very giving. She provided anything and everything our son needed and was very protective of him."
Hambrook, 53, was a painter, sculptor, and entrepreneur who started a business making customized, personalized jewelry. "She had a fantastic sense of humour. She loved the ocean. She loved life," Vaananen said.
The June 21 incident began when Calgary police received multiple reports of an erratic driver downtown. The vehicle was seen going the wrong direction on one-way streets and travelling at high speed through red lights. Officers located the vehicle and brought it to a stop on Deerfoot between Memorial Drive and 16th Avenue N.
According to Calgary Police Service, officers used a variety of use-of-force tools during the confrontation, including one officer discharging their service firearm. Hambrook died at the scene.
Vaananen said Hambrook was experiencing a major mental health breakdown due to stresses in her life and was not in control of her actions at the time. He had last spoken to her the evening of June 19.
"She was not a violent person," Vaananen said. "They should have asked more questions because they treated this incident as a hostile person with clarity who was intent on hurting people. That was not her intention, and I don't think they were equipped to handle her mental well-being issues at all."
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, the province's police watchdog, is continuing to investigate the incident. The family's fundraiser goal is $9,000, with any extra money going directly to their son.
