Christopher Hyndman's mother heart-broken after son's sudden death
Popular TV host had family roots in Saskatchewan, where his mother lives
As cards and flowers for Christopher Hyndman were being left by visitors at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, his mother boarded a flight to Toronto today from Saskatchewan.
Glenda Hyndman lives in Moose Jaw, Sask., and has been struggling with the news of her son's sudden death.
A devastated, sobbing Hyndman said, "Our hearts are broken," as she prepared to board a Toronto-bound flight at the Regina airport.
Hyndman was the popular co-star of the CBC talk show Steven and Chris. The show has been pulled from the air for now. Hyndman's partner, Steven Sabados, shared the spotlight with him on the program.
Hyndman, 49, died on Monday night in Toronto. He was found in a laneway near the intersection of Queen Street and Broadview Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. ET. The laneway was close to the apartment where he and Sabados lived together.
"I know Steven is having a very hard time right now," said Hyndman's mother. "It's hard to mourn privately when you're a public figure."
She said her son had spent summers in Saskatchewan, where the Hyndmans had deep family roots.
"His grandparents are from here you know. Every summer, I would bring him back to Saskatchewan to spend time with his grandparents. He loved it here," Hyndman said.
She also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and kind words about her son.
"Chris helped so many people through difficult times; maybe people who had a hard time fitting in," she said.
Hyndman was openly gay, and has been called a trailblazer and a role model by gay rights groups in Canada.
"He always felt very safe in Saskatchewan," his mother said.
No details have been made public yet about a funeral service.