Coroner's Inquest to Examine 2018 Police-Involved Death of David Meadows in Chilliwack

A coroner's inquest is set to begin on May 27, 2024, at the Burnaby Coroners' Court into the 2018 police-involved death of David James Meadows, 43, in Chilliwack. Meadows died from methamphetamine toxicity after struggling with police while attempting to abduct his 4-year-old daughter during a supervised visit.

The incident occurred in 2018 and was investigated by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO). The IIO concluded that the arrest was 'reasonable' and found no evidence of excessive force by the officers involved. Their report stated that the 'exertion of the struggle with police and discharge of the CEW may have helped to precipitate the fatal heart problem.'

Under the Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory for any deaths that occur while a person is detained by or in the custody of a police officer. The inquest will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding Meadows' death. The jury can then make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future.

Why this matters: The coroner's inquest will provide a public examination of the circumstances leading to David Meadows' death while in police custody. The findings and recommendations from the inquest could lead to changes in police procedures and training to reduce the risk of similar tragedies occurring in the future.

The inquest into David Meadows' death is expected to last several days. Witnesses, including police officers and medical experts, will provide testimony to help the jury establish the sequence of events and factors that contributed to the fatal outcome. The jury's recommendations, while not legally binding, could influence policies and practices related to police interactions with individuals in crisis or under the influence of drugs.

Key Takeaways

• Coroner's inquest on May 27, 2024, into the 2018 police-involved death of David Meadows.
• Meadows died from methamphetamine toxicity after struggling with police during an abduction attempt.
• IIO found the arrest 'reasonable' and no excessive force, but struggle may have contributed to the death.
• Inquest to examine circumstances and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
• The jury's non-binding recommendations could influence police policies and practices.