Both are remembered as polite. Both were mothers. Both were murdered in a Chilliwack home by the same man who police say later took his own life. Amber Culley, 43, and Mimi Kates, 49, were shot and killed by Eric Shestalo last week. A man was also injured but is expected to survive. “It was just terrible news to hear,” Kevin Brown said. Brown said Cates recently joined his real estate company, Homelife Advantage Realty in Chilliwack. “We had a limited amount of time with her, about four weeks, and it was enough to really learn about the type of person she was. He was just a real loving, kind-hearted, witty type of person,” she said, adding that Cates spoke of her son often. “She talked a lot about him, how much she loved him,” Brown said. He said Cates had recently moved from Victoria to Chilliwack and was waiting for her real estate board membership to take effect so she could continue working as a broker. Another former colleague, Ron Neal, knew Cates from when he worked as a realtor in Victoria. “It’s sad, tragic. A young son will be left behind,” Neal said. Meanwhile, Culley’s family released a statement through police on Tuesday. “He was the most loving, generous, compassionate and brave man we have ever known,” the statement said. “We will miss her dearly, but we will never let a murderer snuff out her shining light or ruin the lives of our little boys. Her children were her world.” The family said they are grateful for the outpouring of love and support and also thanked police for finding her killer. On July 22, Shestalo’s red Jeep YJ was found in the Bridal Falls area, east of Chilliwack. July 25, Shestalo’s body was found. Police say it appears he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators said the killer had a personal relationship with the women, but RCMP would not release more information. Shestalo was supposed to be in court the same day as the murders, facing multiple charges of assault and uttering threats to do bodily harm. A woman who lives next door to the home where the murders took place told CTV News that she had seen the suspect show up at the Chilliwack home before. He said he was always told to leave. “The police have been here a few times before,” Stephanie Shaw said. “It was a fight between her and an ex, I’m told, and he’d randomly show up once a week, if that, and start fighting with her and then he’d have to leave.” Police are appealing for witnesses and co-operators as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Cates’ former colleagues are hoping they can help her family. “A number of agents in our office have expressed an interest in contributing financially to the cost of the funeral if the family needs it,” Brown said. “We are going to organize an online fundraising campaign.”
