8-year-old girl who died in fall from Vancouver balcony remembered as ‘a beautiful soul’

A community is rallying around the mother of an eight-year-old girl who died after falling from a high-rise balcony in Vancouver last week.

When Mahsa Hedayatzadeh started her new job as director of Willowbrae Childcare Academy in Squamish, B.C., the company’s CEO Geoff Stollery got to know her eight-year-old daughter Gandom.

“She was so warm and funny and kind. She was a pleasure to be around, and she cared deeply about other people,” said Stollery “She was very intelligent, and just a beautiful soul.”

Gandom was visiting her father’s 23^rd floor condo in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighbourhood on Nov. 11 when she died in a fall from the balcony.

“I was in complete disbelief,” said Stollery.

“Mahsa’s husband Jorge informed me over WhatsApp. I thought his phone had been hacked. I thought this can’t be. Gandom was just in the academy the week prior playing with the kids, as she often did after she was out of school. And I even responded saying, ‘Who is this?’ Because I just didn’t believe it.”

The Vancouver Police Department is investigating the child’s death, but has not suggested any criminality is involved.

“Through our investigation, we have gained a better understanding of the circumstances that led up to this tragedy,” a spokesperson wrote in an email Monday.

“We owe it to the little girl’s family and loved ones to share our findings with them first, before disclosing them publicly.”

A GoFundMe has been created for Gandom’s mother Mahsa, who is seven months pregnant.

“It’s unimaginable, really what they’re dealing with,” said Stollery. “And there’s still shock. There’s still disbelief.”

“Her husband has to take time away from work as well. They have enormous expenses right now, final expenses. They have family that’s arriving from Iran and Brazil. I don’t know what the next six months, 12 months holds for them—and the last thing any of us want them thinking about is any financial pressure,” said Stollery.

Gandom will be laid to rest in a service in Squamish on Wednesday.

“I will remember Gandom for her smile, her warmth, her humour, and just her energy,” said Stollery.

He treasures a bead bracelet the little girl made for him for the opening of the academy in September.

“It’s just who she was, incredibly thoughtful and kind,” he said. “And yeah, I’ll cherish it.”