Boris Stepanyuk Remembered For His 'Beautiful Soul' By Family, Friends

WINCHESTER, CA —Family and friends of aspiring surgeon Boris Stepanyuk, stabbed to death in Winchester in late April, are remembering him as a "beautiful soul."

As the family grieves and plans his funeral, they are also compounded with debts.

"Boris was the sole supporter of the family," according to Dorinda Francois, organizer of a GoFundMe page established to assist his mother, Larissa Passaretti. Friends remember Stepanyuk for "his love of One Direction, his blonde swoopy hair, and his ability to always make his classmates laugh."

Others say he was "kind and quiet," while another remembered him at Camp Kesem, a free camp for children coping with a parent's cancer, where he dedicated much time, according to another friend.

"It was an honor to know him," one GoFundMe commenter said.

"He was brilliant and worked hard to get into medical school," Francois wrote. "After graduating from Point Loma Charter School, he graduated from UCSD. Then, he attended the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

"Boris was funny but reserved and quiet. He loved his family and his dog, a huskie named Mischa," according to Francois. "He regularly enjoyed daily sunrise and sunset walks with her through his neighborhood.

"The grief and suffering of Boris Stepanyuk's family, particularly his mother and younger brother, cannot be overstated. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but losing a young, brilliant, and promising life to a senseless act of violence is particularly devastating. As a community, we have an opportunity to come together to support Boris’s family during this challenging time.

"Please consider donating today and sharing this story with your friends and family. Let's come together to show our love and support for the Larissa Stepanyuk Passaretti family during this most unexpected and challenging time. Thank you for your kindness and generosity."

For more information or to donate, visit gofund.me.

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Murder Charge Filed In Med School Student's Winchester Slaying