BC coroners service will investigate the death of Myles Gray following BC Prosecution Service not proceeding with charges in the case.
Gray, a 33-year-old Sechelt businessman, died in Burnaby on August 13, 2015, after an encounter with the Vancouver Police Department. Gray, who was born and raised in Powell River, suffered extensive injuries in the case.
BC Prosecution Service, in a media release December 16, stated it had concluded that available evidence did not meet the charge assessment standard. The release stated that based on the evidence available, the prosecution service was not able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that officers committed any offence in relation to the incident.
Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner of the BC Coroners Service, has released the following statement regarding the death of Gray:
“The coroner’s investigation into the death of Myles Gray is ongoing, and we recognize the tragic loss of a member of our community.
“While an Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia investigation is ongoing or the BC Prosecution Service is considering charges, the BC Coroners Service investigation cannot be concluded. Following the BC Prosecution Service’s decision regarding the death of Myles Gray, the coroner’s investigation will be concluded as quickly as possible.
“The Coroners Act requires deaths that occur while an individual is detained by or in the custody of police be reviewed at inquest unless a legislative exception applies. When the coroner completes the investigation into Gray’s death, this matter will be reviewed by the chief coroner to determine whether to direct an inquest.”
