A coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Janet Nguyen, Christopher Duong, and Alexander and Harlan Duong, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6, until Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

The inquest will be held at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court (20th floor, 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II, Metrotown, Burnaby) starting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 6.

On June 13, 2023, the BC Coroners Service received a report from the Prince Rupert Royal Canadian Mounted Police advising of four deaths. At the time of their deaths, Janet Nguyen was 35 years old, Christopher Duong was 38 years old, Alexander Duong was four years old and Harlan Duong was two years old.

The Coroners Act permits the chief coroner to direct an inquest if the chief coroner has reason to believe the public has an interest in being informed about the circumstances surrounding a death, or the death resulted from a dangerous practice or circumstance, and similar deaths could be prevented through recommendations.

A coroner’s inquest is a non-fault-finding 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.

Presiding coroner Larry Marzinzik and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding these deaths. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations, as outlined above, though the jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.

Anyone attending the inquest, including media, is prohibited from broadcasting and publishing inquest proceedings, including over social media. Supreme Court-accredited media are permitted to record the proceeding solely for the accuracy of their notes; the recording is not to be broadcast in any form. Accredited media members must provide proof to the sheriff and always display their accreditation when they are recording or using electronic devices in court. Recording for any other purpose, or by anyone without appropriate accreditation, is strictly prohibited. 

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 of inquest proceedings are prohibited, including through social media. Supreme Court-accredited media are permitted to record the proceeding solely for the accuracy of their notes; the recording is not to be broadcast in any form. Accredited media members must provide proof to the sheriff and always display their accreditation when they are recording or using electronic devices in court. Recording for any other purpose or by anyone without appropriate accreditation is strictly prohibited.

Learn More:

For more information on inquests, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts

For more information on the BC Coroners Service, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/