THUNDER BAY – NEWS – An Assault in Thunder Bay on February 11, 2024 has led to the death of a talented musical artist. Thunder Bay Police arrested a suspect in the assault, at this time it is not known if the charge of Aggravated Assault will be upgraded to a more serious charge.
In a profound loss for both Thunder Bay and Winnipeg, the music and Indigenous communities are mourning the tragic passing of Cayden Carfrae, known professionally as Caid Jones.
Carfrae, a 24-year-old musician and activist, succumbed to injuries from an altercation on Valhalla Inn Road in Thunder Bay, an incident that has deeply impacted those who knew him and his work.
Tragic Altercation Leads to Emergency Response
In the early hours of Sunday, February 11, Thunder Bay Police Service officers were called to an address on Valhalla Inn Road following reports of a male requiring urgent medical attention. Superior North EMS paramedics quickly transported Carfrae to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, facing serious, life-threatening injuries.
Cayden Carfrae: A Legacy Beyond Music
Before this tragic event, Carfrae had been engaging with Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay, focusing on a music production project. His commitment to the N’we Jinan Young Professional Artists program saw him facilitating workshops across Canada, aimed at empowering Indigenous youth through the exploration of identity, language, and self-acceptance.
Investigation Underway by Major Crimes Unit
Police at the scene of the incident arrested Andrei Savu, 35, from Montreal, who has been charged with aggravated assault.
Savu was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Balmoral Street station.
With Savu remanded into custody and awaiting a future court date, the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit has taken the lead in the investigation, signalling the seriousness of the case.
The Community’s Tribute to a Fallen Hero
Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, Carfrae’s spirit of generosity shines through in his family’s decision to donate his organs, a testament to his giving nature. “His work with Indigenous youth showed his incredible capacity to inspire and heal through music,” remarked a N’we Jinan program colleague. “Cayden believed in the power of art to change lives, and he lived that belief.”
Cayden Carfrae’s untimely death is not just a loss of a talented musician but of a compassionate advocate for youth and Indigenous communities. His legacy of creativity, service, and advocacy will endure, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps, making a lasting impact on Thunder Bay and the broader Canadian community.
