Chilliwack/Burnaby – A coroner’s inquest into the death of David James Meadows will begin at 9:30 am on May 27, 2024, at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court (20th floor, 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II, Metrotown, Burnaby).
The death of Meadows, 43, was reported to the BC Coroners Service by Chilliwack RCMP on Feb. 24, 2018. According to Black Press He was on an escorted visit with his child and tried to run away with the child in tow. A passerby tried to stop him. Police caught up with him and used a taser to stop him. He died shortly after. Toxicology reports said there was meth in his system.
Under Section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory for any deaths that occur while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.
A coroner’s inquest is a public inquiry that serves three primary functions:
- to 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;
- to make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and
- to ensure public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.
Margaret Janzen, presiding coroner, and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding this death. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances. A jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.
Livestreaming allows the public and media to virtually attend an inquest. The same rules apply as for in-person attendance at an inquest. Reproduction, broadcasting and publishing, including through social media, of inquest proceedings is prohibited.
For more information about inquests, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts
To access the livestream, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts/inquestlivestream
To learn more about BC Coroners Service, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/
