‘He’s just trying to make it in this world’: Edmonton comedian faces long road to recovery after swarming assault
Posted February 27, 2025 3:38 pm.
Jeren Drew, 32, came to Edmonton from Montreal trying to get a stand-up comedy career going but fell on his luck.
One of his employers stepped up to help him get fed and into a downtown Edmonton apartment building.
“Last time I’d seen him, he said to me ‘Thank you’. I know what he means by thank you. I picked him up off the street, gave him a place to eat and a roof over his head,” explained Todd Ross, Drew’s friend.
But it was inside this building when Drew was assaulted by several people after hosting a party after a comedy show. Ross says he suffered a broken jaw, bruises all over his body, and convulsed while the beating continued.
RELATED: 7 charged in connection to assault in central Edmonton in December
“Beat the living c*** out of him, leaving him for dead. When he was found, he was barely breathing,” Ross explained.
Clinging to life in the hospital, Drew’s mom and dad came to his bedside hoping to never say goodbye.
“She’s been whispering in his ear saying ‘Jeren, they say you’re not going to make it. Do you want to live? If you want to live, I need you to open your eyes,’” said Ross. “She’s been by his side every day and without her, he wouldn’t be alive.”
Drew’s eyes did open and he is slowly gaining his memory back. Ross says Drew is now saying small words but a full recovery is still a long road ahead.
He was medivaced back to Montreal where his mother now lives.
Seven people have been arrested and charged in relation to the incident, including four youths — with offences ranging from assault to attempted murder.
A go-fund-me has been set up to help Drew with his recovery.
“He’s just trying to make it in this world,” said Ross.
