BC Coroners Service News

Last updated on October 28, 2024

News Releases & Information Bulletins

To view current data reports associated with the below releases, please visit BC Coroners Service Statistical Reports.

Inquest scheduled into the death of Jason Elwyn Koehler - Oct. 28, 2024
More than 1,700 lives lost to drug toxicity in first nine months of 2024 - Oct. 24, 2024
Coroner's inquest scheduled into the death of Lindsey Izony - Sept. 16, 2024
At least 192 British Columbians lost to toxic drugs in July 2024 - Aug. 30, 2024
Dates confirmed for coroner's inquest into death of Jer Wood - Aug. 21, 2024
Date confirmed for coroner's inquest into death of Melvin Erickson - Aug. 2, 2024
BC Coroners Service drug toxicity death update through June 2024 - Jul. 30, 2024
Tragedies on B.C. highways prompt coroners' safety reminder - Jul. 12, 2024
Warmer temperatures prompt safety reminder from BC Coroners Service - Jun. 26, 2024
Coroner, Lifesaving Society remind British Columbians to be water safe - Jun. 25, 2024
Coroner's inquest announced into death of Randy Lampreau - Jun. 24, 2024
Dates confirmed for coroners inquest into the death of Christopher Bloomfield - Jun. 11, 2024
BC Coroners Service sets date for inquest into death of Zachary With - Jun. 10, 2024
More than 14,500 lives lost to unregulated toxic drugs, eight years into public health crisis- Jun. 6, 2024
126 deaths over five years linked to unregulated drug toxicity in B.C. children, youth - May 28, 2024
Deaths in correctional facilities trend upward over 10 years: BC Coroners Service - May 23, 2024
Dates confirmed for coroner's inquest into the death of David Meadows - Apr. 23, 2024
BC Coroners Service announces inquest into death of Eugene Marcano - Apr. 19, 2024
177 lives lost to toxic drugs in February 2024: BC Coroners Service - Apr. 5, 2024
Nearly 200 British Columbians lost to toxic drugs in January 2024 - Feb. 29, 2024
Dates confirmed for coroner's inquest into the death of Nicholas Goulding - Feb. 28, 2024
More than 2,500 lives lost to toxic drugs in 2023 - Jan. 24, 2024

Release Archive

2023

Sharp rise in deaths among people experiencing homelessness continues in 2022 - Dec. 14, 2023
Update from BC Coroners Service about increasing deaths from unregulated drugs - Dec. 13, 2023
Chief coroner's statement on future with BC Coroners Service - Dec. 6, 2023
More than 2,000 British Columbians lost to toxic, unregulated drugs for third consecutive year - Nov. 30, 2023
Dates confirmed for inquest into the deaths of Mary Ann Garlow and Dennis James Guay - Nov. 29, 2023
BC Coroners Service death review panel urges expanded access to safer supply - Nov. 1, 2023
BC Coroners Service investigating 174 deaths from toxic-drug supply in August - Sep. 25, 2023
At least 198 lost to toxic drugs in July as public health emergency continues - Aug. 29, 2023
Dates confirmed for inquest into death of Heather Louise Cote - Jul. 28, 2023
Unregulated drug supply claims 184 British Columbians in June 2023 - Jul. 18, 2023
BC Coroners Service issues public safety bulletin about wildfire smoke - Jul. 17, 2023
BC Coroners Service announces inquest into the death of Waylon Jesse Edey - Jul. 7, 2023
Dates confirmed for coroner’s inquest into death of Samantha Nicole Patrick - Jun. 23, 2023
More than 1,000 lives lost to toxic unregulated drugs in first five months of 2023 - Jun. 19, 2023
Inquest into the death of Howard Barry Shantz to begin in July - Jun. 16, 2023
Dates scheduled for coroner’s inquest into death of Edward James Waddell - May 26, 2023
Unregulated drugs claim lives of 206 British Columbians in April 2023 - May 18, 2023
Nearly 600 lives lost to unregulated drugs in first three months of 2023 - Apr. 17, 2023
Dates confirmed for inquest into death of Nadine Solonas - Mar. 14, 2023
Toxic-drug supply claims nearly 2,300 lives in 2022: BC Coroners Service - Jan. 31, 2023
Inquest into the death of Myles Gray begins in April - Jan. 19, 2023

2022

At least 179 lives lost to toxic drugs in B.C. in October 2022 - Nov. 30, 2022
Coroner's inquest into the death of Nicole Chan begins in January 2023 - Nov. 24, 2022
More than 1,600 lives lost to illicit drugs in first nine months of 2022 - Nov. 7, 2022
Rapid increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness in B.C. in 2021 - Oct. 12, 2022
Nearly 1,500 lost to illicit drugs in first eight months of 2022 - Sep. 28, 2022
Toxic drugs claim lives of 192 British Columbians in July 2022 - Sep. 15, 2022
Inquest into the death of Daniel Peter Rintoul will begin in October - Aug. 26, 2022
Ten thousand lives lost to illicit drugs since declaration of public health emergency - Aug. 16, 2022
Dates confirmed for inquest into the death of Robert Andrew Blundell - Jul. 22, 2022
Almost 200 British Columbians lost to illicit drugs in May - Jul. 14 2022
Toxic drug supply continues to devastate communities throughout B.C. - Jun. 9, 2022
Enhanced alert system, risk mitigation needed for resilience in future heat events - Jun. 7, 2022
BC Coroners Service schedules inquest into death of Jeffrey Richard Maxwell - May 6, 2022
165 British Columbians lost to toxic drug supply in March 2022 - May 3, 2022
Dates scheduled for inquest into the death of Traevon Desjarlais - Apr. 29, 2022
Chief coroner's statement on anniversary of public health emergency - Apr. 14, 2022
More than 9,400 British Columbians lost to toxic illicit drugs since 2016 - Apr. 12, 2022
Toxic drug supply continues to claim record numbers of British Columbians - Mar. 11, 2022
Expert panel urges safer supply, evidence-based system of care to reduce deaths from illicit drugs - Mar. 9, 2022
More than 2,200 British Columbians lost to illicit drugs in 2021 - Feb. 9, 2022
Inquest into the death of Craig Andrew Ford rescheduled - Feb. 4, 2022
Date confirmed for inquest into the death of Kyaw Naing Maung - Jan. 25, 2022

2021

B.C. experiences record loss of life due to drug toxicity - Dec. 9, 2021
Chief coroner's statement on mudslide search efforts - Nov. 20, 2021
More than 1,500 lives lost to toxic illicit drugs in first nine months of 2021 - Nov. 9, 2021
Almost 600 lives lost to extreme heat in summer 2021 - Nov. 1, 2021
Date set for inquest into deaths of Jovan Williams and Shirley Williams - Oct. 22, 2021
Toxic illicit drug supply claims lives of 184 British Columbians in July - Sept. 29, 2021
Date set for inquest into death of Peter John De Groot - Sept. 13, 2021
More than 1,000 British Columbians lost to toxic illicit drugs in first half of 2021 - Aug. 31, 2021
Inquest scheduled into the death of Nicolas Allan Jeppesen - Aug. 19, 2021
Chief coroner's July 30 statement on public safety during high temperatures - July 30, 2021
Inquest into the death of Alexander Charles Joseph to begin August 9 - July 12, 2021
Chief coroner's July 2 statement on public safety during heat wave - July 2, 2021
Chief coroner's June 30 statement on public safety during heat wave - June 30, 2021
Chief coroner's statement on public safety during heat wave - June 29, 2021
851 British Columbians lost to toxic illicit drugs in first five months of 2021 - June 29, 2021
Inquest into the death of Jocelyn Nynah Marsha George to begin June 21 - June 14, 2021
Illicit drug supply claims lives of 176 British Columbians in April - June 1, 2021
Chief coroner's statement on burial site at former Kamloops Indian Residential School - May 28, 2021
No increase in suicide deaths during pandemic - May 18, 2021
Nearly 500 British Columbians lost to toxic illicit drugs in first three months of 2021 - Apr. 29, 2021
Toxic drug supply claims more than 7,000 British Columbians since 2016 - Apr. 14, 2021
Deaths caused by toxic illicit drug supply continue to surge - Mar. 24, 2021
Increased drug toxicity leads to record number of January deaths - Mar. 2, 2021
More than 1,700 lives lost in 2020 due to toxic illicit drugs - Feb. 11, 2021

2020

Drug toxicity deaths continue to surpass records in B.C. - Dec. 21, 2020
More than five people a day dying from drug toxicity: BC Coroners Service - Nov. 25, 2020
Updated Illicit Drug Death Report released - Oct. 20, 2020
Illicit drug death count remains high in B.C. during dual health emergencies - Sept. 23, 2020
Toxic supply continues to contribute to loss of lives in B.C. - Aug. 25, 2020
B.C. reports another record-high monthly total of illicit drug deaths in June - July, 16, 2020
BC Coroners Service reports increase in illicit drug toxicity deaths in March, April - May 27, 2020
Updated Illicit Drug Death Report released - May 7, 2020
Nearly three people a day died from illicit drugs in 2019 - Feb. 24, 2020
BC Coroners Service engaged in skull reconstruction to help close cold cases - Jan. 13, 2020
Inquest into death of Dylan Levi Judd cancelled - Jan. 13, 2020

2019

Two males, one female identified as deceased in Gabriola plane crash - Dec. 13, 2019
BC Coroners Service, Transportation Safety Board, RCMP continue investigation into fatal plane crash - Dec. 11, 2019
Drug toxicity deaths decrease, risk of harm remains high in B.C. - Dec. 5, 2019
Additional support, awareness needed to prevent infant sleep deaths - Nov. 19, 2019
Updated illicit drug death reports released by BC Coroners Service - Oct. 16, 2019
Illicit drug deaths show decline for first half of 2019 - Aug. 16, 2019
Cautious optimism: illicit drug toxicity deaths down for first five months of 2019 - July 11, 2019
Summer water safety tips - June 27, 2019
Police de facto part of mental health system: death review panel - June 4, 2019
BC Coroners Service data shows MVI fatalities preventable - May 16, 2019
Coroners Service releases updated data on illicit drug deaths - May 15, 2019
Interactive tool launched to help identify human remains - March 27, 2019
BC Coroners releases updated data on homeless deaths - March 21, 2019
BC Coroners Service releases updated data on illicit drug overdoses - March 19, 2019
Focus on evidence-based efforts needed to save lives - Feb. 7, 2019

2018

Chief coroner's statement on sudden death of Barb McLintock - Dec. 29, 2018
BC Coroners Service releases expanded findings into overdose deaths - Sept. 27, 2018
Motorcycle deaths more than double through first seven months of 2018 - Aug. 29, 2018
Driving safety tips for the summer - July 6, 2018
Summer water safety tips - June 22, 2018
Death review panel recommends prevention opportunities to help youth in care - May 28, 2018
Illicit drug overdose death statistics to end of March, 2018 - May 10, 2018 - May 10, 2018
Illicit drug overdose Death Review Panel releases recommendations - April 5, 2018 (Related Infographic on Illicit Drug Death Stats)
Recommendations to Transport Canada following Capsizing of Leviathan II - Feb. 6, 2018
- Response Letter from Transport Canada - Feb. 8, 2018
- Follow up Response Letter from Transport Canada - April 27, 2018
Remains found in Lake Cowichan in late December linked to missing person - Feb. 6, 2018
Over 1400 B.C. residents died of illicit drug overdoses in 2017 - Jan. 31, 2018

2017

Scare tactics less effective in overdose crisis - Dec. 2, 2017
Recommendations released from Death Review Panel on First Nations youth - Nov. 15, 2017
BC Coroners Service releases updated illicit drug overdose stats - Nov. 9, 2017
Illicit drug deaths in first eight months of 2017 show deepening overdose crisis in BC. - Oct. 12, 2017
Panel makes recommendations on medical assistance in dying - Oct. 3, 2017
Fentanyl detected in 81 of illicit drug deaths in B.C. in 2017 - Sept. 7, 2017
International Overdose Awareness Day (Statement from Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner with the BC Coroners Service) - Aug. 31, 2017
Vancouver workplace fatality - Aug. 14, 2017
June illicit drug-death numbers - Aug. 4, 2017
Illicit drug death numbers through May 21, 2017 - June 30, 2017
April illicit drug-death numbers - May 31, 2017
BC Coroners Service investigating deaths from a capsized vessel - May 2, 2017
March illicit drug death numbers - April 19, 2017
January illicit drug death numbers - Feb. 17, 2017
Year-End Illicit Drug Death Numbers - Jan, 18, 2017

2016

Extra care needed in very cold weather - Dec. 16, 2016
BC Coroners Service reminds boaters to wear PFDs - Aug. 31, 2016
Extra care needed while swimming and boating - May 19, 2016
BC Coroners Service and Avalanche Canada stress need for safety - Feb. 3, 2016

2015

Extra care needed while swimming and boating - June 26, 2015

2014

Pedestrian safety highlighted - Nov. 19, 2014
BC Coroners Service releases report on child and youth drowning - June 26, 2014
BC Coroners Service warns of deaths related to illicit fentanyl use - June 4, 2014
Avalanche death prompts safety reminder - Jan. 24, 2014

2013

Winter safety in the backcountry - Nov. 25, 2013
BC Coroners Service releases report on youth suicide - Sept. 26, 2013
BC Coroners Service urges water safety - July 5, 2013
Coroners Service review of Prescription Opiate-Related Overdose Death - May 28, 2013
BC Coroners Service Warns of High Water Dangers - May 17, 2013
BC Coroners Service Urges Proper Preparation for Backcountry Outings - March 8, 2013

2012

You are not Expecting Your Child to Drown Today - July 11, 2012

2009

Faulty Computer Equipment Can Be Deadly - Aug. 26, 2009

2008

Coroner Issues Carbon Monoxide Warning - Dec. 16, 2008
Stats and Studies Show Too Many Kids Victims of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents - May 27, 2008
Infant Deaths Linked to Unsafe Sleep Practices - March 7, 2008

2007

Avalanche Deaths Prompt Seasonal Warning - Dec. 31, 2007
Student Fire Safety Can Prevent Needless Deaths - Aug. 27, 2007
Infant Dies After Recalled Playpen Collapses - Aug. 21, 2007
Wild Mushrooms Can Be Deadly - May 30, 2007
Avalanche Deaths Prompt Warning - Apr. 12, 2007
Drugs Bought Online Can Be Deadly - Mar. 20, 2007
Fatal Forestry Accidents Preventable - Jan. 25, 2007

2006

B.C. Lakes and Rivers Pose Additional Risks for Tourists - Aug. 2, 2006

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CoronerMedia@gov.bc.ca
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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.