Coroner’s inquest into death of man in Kelowna police custody set for June

The date has been set for a coroner’s inquest into the death of Edward James Waddell.

Waddell, 40, died in police custody at the Kelowna RCMP detachment on April 1, 2017, which comes with a mandatory inquest under section 18(2) of the Coroners Act.

The public inquest will begin at 9:30 am on June 12 at the Kelowna Law Courts.

No further details regarding Waddell’s death have been made public since the initial information was released by the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) the day after it happened.

According to the IIO at that time, Waddell was involved in a single-vehicle off-road collision with a tree on McCulloch Road around 5:15 pm on March 31.

Upon arrival, officers launched a criminal investigation and transported the 40-year-old to the Kelowna RCMP detachment.

However, he complained of pain and was transported to Kelowna General Hospital. Once clear by medical staff, he was brought back to the detachment and booked into a cell at 11:25 pm.

Shortly after 2 pm the following day, Waddell was found unresponsive in his cell. Officers initiated CPR and paramedics took over once they arrived at the scene.

Unfortunately, Waddell was pronounced dead around less than 30 minutes later.

The IIO investigated to determine whether police actions or inactions contributed to his death, but later closed the case without a public report.

The coroner’s inquest will work to do the following:

• Determine the facts related to a death including the identity of the deceased and how, when, where and by what means the individual came to their death, as well as a classification for the death.
• Make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.
• Ensure public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.

Presiding coroner Margaret Janzen and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding Waddell’s death.

The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances, but must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.