Saturday’s Sunshine Festival turned out to be not so sunny for a Vernon musician.
Cory Myraas, who goes by the stage name Windmills, had just performed on the main stage at the downtown Vernon festival when his laptop computer, containing all his programming, was stolen.
Also in the bag was the honorarium cheque Myraas had received from the City of Vernon to perform at the event. The theft occurred during the Heroes Shave It Off cancer fundraiser, which Myraas was supporting.
“While participants shaved their heads after raising money for brain cancer research, the thief calmly walked behind stage where I had just been and picked up my bag and walked off,” said Myraas. “Now we all can agree this is a horrible act. Theft is one thing, but at a cancer fundraiser for charity is completely abhorrent.”
Myraas had not backed up any of his files on his silver 15-inch Macbook Pro. The computer not only contained his music files, but his business and press information, expense tracking, tax returns, and everything else to do with his livelihood.
“This has been a painful lesson... but you can never prepare for these things,” he said. “All things considered, I’m doing my best to stay positive but it’s been hard.”
Since the theft, Myraas has learned that Shaw TV, which was filming the Heroes Shave it Off event, has video footage of the suspect and clear identification of him taking the bag containing the laptop.
“At this point the RCMP is aware and have advised I wait to release the images. This is tough as I feel recognizing him will be easier with more eyes on the images, but it will allow them to conduct a safe investigation,” he said.
In the meantime, Myraas has been scouring pawn shops as well as social media and classified sites for any possible leads.
He is also receiving support from the community to recoup some of his losses, as until his music is restored, Myraas is unable to perform.
“Friends have recognized my struggle and after countless strangers asking to help out, offering donations to replace my computer, they’ve set up a GoFund Me campaign https://www.gofundme.com/2ajtnt8 to help cover the costs of replacing my equipment.”
The account launched Tuesday and as of press time, had almost reached the $3,000 goal set.
“I’m touched and completely grounded in humility and gratitude. I can’t express how thankful I am and how excited I am to get back to performing,” said Myraas. “Aug. 6 is my goal for my first show back – in Kelowna for Parks Alive – and I want to make that such a celebration of this community and the amazing people who live within it.”