An estimated 200 young people attended an informal memorial service Thursday night for the young teen who fell to his death at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre on Wednesday.
The ceremony at the boy's school field, at Abbotsford Collegiate, featured a candlelit collection of photos, flowers and mementos, and several speakers recollected the life of the Abbotsford 15-year-old.
"It was mostly school people, and some parents who knew him," said his friend Ashley Davids. "We said a word about Brandon, and shared memories of him."
She described him as a well-known biker and skater, who was popular and well-liked. He was going to be in Grade 11 in September.
"We was genuine and kindhearted. He would accept you for what you are," she said.
"Most people remembered his smile. He was one of those people who was never not smiling. They remembered him helping them out, or his favourite song – Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA."
In the early morning hours before his death, she said Brandon was hanging out with friends. He suggested they watch the sun come up at Mill Lake. They chose not to, and he decided to go by himself.
According to friends and online sources, the boy was only recently reconnected with his father, who left when he was young. Two years ago, his mother passed away.
The teen and his siblings lived locally with relatives and friends.
A Facebook memorial page says: "Brandon was a magnet for people. People came to life when they were with Brandon. He was always out and doing. If there was a group of kids Brandon was likely the centre of it. His witty charm and charisma will be a large void in all our lives."
The News is choosing not to fully identify Brandon at this time.
Just before 6 a.m. Wednesday, a cyclist discovered a young man's body on a stairwell below a tall structure adjacent to the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre parkade.
Attending police officers attempted chest compressions and first aid, but determined that the victim was deceased.
Police have ruled out foul play, although the details of the incident are unclear, and there were apparently no witnesses. Investigators continue to interview friends.