An inquest into the deaths of three inmates at Mountain Penitentiary in Agassiz will take place from March 10 through 14, 2014 at the Burnaby Coroners Court.

The three inmates were all being housed in the segregation unit at the penitentiary when they died over an eight-month period from July 2012 through February 2013.

The three are:

• Gerald Joseph Cayer, aged 49, died Feb. 7, 2013.
• Kyle Darren Tombaugh, aged 35, died Aug. 24, 2012.
• Warren Robert Allen, aged 54, died July 20, 2012.

Most Coroners Inquests deal with only a single incident. The Coroners Act does however give the chief coroner the authority to direct that a single inquest be held for more than one death. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed that the facts and circumstances of these three deaths are sufficiently similar that it will be more effective to hold a single inquest into the deaths.

Presiding coroner Vincent Stancato and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding the deaths. While the jury may not, by law, make any findings of legal responsibility, it may make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future. An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death.

Media Contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253 or 250 213-5020