The victim of a suspicious death in Chilliwack has strong ties to Abbotsford.
Harjit (Stefan) Kondolay, 31, was identified today (Saturday) by police as the man found dead early Thursday morning in a home in the 46700 block of First Avenue, between Coote and Windsor streets.
Kondolay’s family owns Diesel Transmission Technology (DTT) in Abbotsford. An online post indicates he was a 2000 graduate of W. J. Mouat Secondary, where he was involved on the Mouat Racing Team.
Kondolay was the son of Bill and Shanti Kondolay of Abbotsford.
He was also well known in the drag-racing world, and was a five-time division champion in the Super Comp and Super Gas categories, according to online posts.
He had been slated to race this weekend in the northwest division of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Woodburn, Oregon.
The racing community is mourning Kondolay’s death in online posts.
On the “Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum,” a post from DTT Sales and Tech announces the death of “our beloved son Stefan Kondolay.”
“We wish whomever is responsible for this cowardly act burns eternally in hell or that we find whomever did it and send him there ourselves. Our lives are forever changed, his dad and I are broken without him,” the post reads.
In another post, on the Speed Zone Magazine website, Kondolay was described as “arguably the best bracket racer on the West Coast and for sure the most decorated racer to come from the province of B.C.”
The website indicates it will compile a tribute page for Kondolay and will design memorial decals.
“You will not be forgotten, Stefan, as many local races strive to accomplish even half of what you did on the track,” the post reads.
A YouTube video – “Stefan Kondolay Memorial” (posted below) – pays tribute to the racer, showing numerous clips of him in action on the track.
Police are continuing their investigation into Kondolay’s death, although some of his fellow racers are posting online that he was shot.
Police were called to his home at about 4 a.m. Thursday. Neighbours reported hearing a woman yelling before police arrived.
The death was soon deemed suspicious, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in.
Police have said that Kondolay was not known to them.
They are asking for anyone with information to call the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448, email ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.