Office of the Premier
The BC Coroners Service has scheduled an inquest into the death of Lindsey Harvey Gauthier, beginning on Feb. 1, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific time).
The inquest will take place at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court, 20th floor, 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II, Metrotown, Burnaby.
The death of Gauthier, 45, was reported to the BC Coroners Service on April 6, 2016, following a police-involved incident in Chilliwack. 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.
Tiara Stiglich, 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.
An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death. The jury will certify the identity of the deceased and how, where, when and by what means death occurred. The jury may also make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances. The jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law. For more information on inquests, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts
The BC Coroners Service looks to gather the facts surrounding why a death took place. It is not a fault-finding agency. It provides an independent service to the family, community, government agencies and other organizations.
Livestreaming provides a way for the public and media to virtually attend an inquest when COVID-19 measures prevent physical attendance. The same rules apply as for in-person attendance at an inquest. Reproduction, broadcasting and publishing, including through social media, of the BC Coroners Service live video stream and its content are prohibited: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts/inquestlivestream
Note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, in compliance with physical and social distancing requirements set out by the provincial health officer, the BC Coroners Service was required to postpone several inquests. It is in the process of rescheduling those inquests and will announce dates, times and locations when details are confirmed.
Learn More:
BC Coroners Service: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/
