Hamilton police services have confirmed Carel Douse as the victim of a fatal stabbing in downtown Hamilton. Douse was the eldest of five children. He leaves behind a girlfriend of 10 years, a mother and four siblings including a brother and a sister, as well as two cousins his mother adopted.

He is described as a hard-working man who put in long days at Canadian Ferro, a steel industry company located in Stoney Creek. Numerous people that are close to Carel Douse including his girlfriend of 10 years Jennifer, and the friend who set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs.

They want to make it clear that Carel had a heart of gold, would do anything for anyone, and that they are utterly devastated to lose such a beautiful soul. Douse, also known by his close friends and family as Blakz, was 33-year-old he was found bleeding, and unconscious at a residence police say is unrelated to the crime.

The investigation reveals that the incident actually started in a barbershop which is located on the SouthEast corner of East Avenue North and King Street East. Police indicate that a gathering was going on in the barbershop overnight and say that the owner of “more than a haircut” has been fully cooperating.

Investigators are searching for three people believed to have run away from the scene through Beemer Park. It’s not the first time the Douse family has experienced tragedy. In 2015, Carel’s younger cousin Shareik was murdered in a homicide that remains unsolved.

To donate to the family, visit www.gofundme.com/forever-in-our-hearts-blakz