Amid an ongoing investigation into the murder of Tim Bosma, hundreds of motorcyclists took part in a memorial charity ride on Sunday, raising approximately $20,000 for his family
The motorcade left Kitchener, Ont. at 9 a.m. and travelled through Brantford and Ancaster, where the bikers were greeted by Bosma's family.
"I saw all those motorcycles come around, and I started crying," Bosma’s father Hank told CTV News on Sunday. "Tim just loved motorbikes."
"He’s a husband and a father and he was providing for his family," one rider told CTV Toronto. "This unfortunate event happened to virtually an innocent person."
Bosma disappeared on May 6 after taking two strangers for a test drive of his pickup truck. His charred remains were later found near Waterloo.
"It could’ve happened to anybody here," another rider said. "Anyone could’ve been selling a truck that day and been a victim."
The ride was organized by two Kitchener men: Tony Salih and Jeff Czech. They didn’t know Bosma personally but said his murder has had an impact on the entire Kitchener community.
"The fact that it could have happened to anyone of us, it just really hit home for us," Czech told CTV News in May. "We’re just like him, like everybody else that wants to provide for their families, their wives and their children."
According to the ride’s Facebook page, the charity event was well attended, with 419 confirmed guests.
"Excellent show of support for Tim and his family," wrote Kari Badgerow on the Tim Bosma Memorial Ride page. “A wonderful ride! And a BIG thanks to the organizers and all the volunteers who made this memorial ride happen. Great Job!."
Earlier this month, Hamilton police said a third man in the Toronto area was contacted from the same cell phone that was used to call Bosma and another Toronto man, who had both listed their truck for sale online.
Police said the third man was sleeping at the time of the call, and so a test drive was not scheduled.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of Bosma. Dellen Millard, 27, and Mark Smich, 25, have both been charged with first-degree murder. Police are seeking a third suspected.
With files from CTV Kitchener
