We are so heartbroken to hear about the tragic passing of 18-year-old Joseph Maku, a bright and promising first-year kinesiology student at UBC who went missing on October 22. Joseph, who was described by his family as outgoing, adventurous, and enthusiastic about basketball, was found dead in Delta.
This tragic loss has left our community in shock and deep grief. We must, however, demand answers while we grieve. The BC Coroners Service has launched an investigation into Joseph’s death, and we urge transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Too often, Black families face systemic inequities in terms of resources, urgency, and justice when searching for their missing loved ones. This is part of a larger pattern that exists not only in British Columbia, but throughout Canada. Studies and data consistently show that Black youth are over-represented in cases of neglect while being under-represented in resource allocation and media attention.
The BC Anti-Racism Act, passed in 2024, represented a commitment to addressing these systemic inequities. It is time for action, not just words. We demand that the BC Coroners Service fulfil this commitment by conducting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation into Joseph’s death. Our communities can no longer bear the burden of systemic neglect.
What We Are Asking:
• For the BC Coroners Service to prioritize a transparent investigation and share updates with the community.
• For systemic improvements in how missing Black youth are reported and supported, ensuring equitable resources and urgency in such cases. We urge BC to adopt the Ebony Alert that’s been effective for finding missing Black youth in California.
We will also be sharing the GoFundMe page to support Joseph’s family as they navigate this unimaginable loss. We ask our community to stand in solidarity with them and to amplify their voice in demanding justice.
Joseph’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the work we must do to protect and uplift Black youth. Let’s turn our grief into action. Let’s demand justice—not just for Joseph, but for every Black child who deserves to grow, thrive, and be seen.
GOFUND THE MAKU FAMILY: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-joseph-maku