Death

Pro-choice protestors outside Kelowna’s courthouse on June 26, 2022 following the overturn of a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that unduly restrictive state regulations on abortion are unconstitutional (Brittany Webster - Black Press)

Dueling protests in downtown Kelowna Sunday following Roe v. Wade reversal

Both pro-life and pro-choice protestors made their voices heard

  • Jun 26, 2022

 

A B.C. man is facing charges connecting him to a international criminal organization and two overdose deaths. (Black Press Media file photo)

Alleged B.C. fentanyl trafficker charged in connection with U.S. Navy deaths

Vancouver man believed to operate an international dark web drug and money laundering organization

 

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service public information officer Matthew Trudeau displays what a series of exploded lithium-ion batteries look like. The service is concerned about a growing number of deaths caused by the exploding batteries. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

Vancouver sees 5-fold increase in fire deaths caused by exploding lithium-ion batteries

Fire department says tampering with, overcharging batteries is the issue

 

One person died and two people were injured from an explosion and fire at the Empress Hotel in Vancouver June 11. (Google Streetview)

One dead, two injured after explosion, fire in downtown Vancouver hotel: officials

Overcharged electric bike battery believed to be cause

One person died and two people were injured from an explosion and fire at the Empress Hotel in Vancouver June 11. (Google Streetview)
Advocates for decriminalization and safe supply of drugs stood outside Nelson’s city hall on April 14th. In the month of April, 161 British Columbians died from the toxic drug supply, according to the BC Coroners Service. (Bill Metcalfe/News Staff)

B.C. sees 161 people die to toxic drug crisis in April, amid calls for safer supply

April death rates highest in Northern Health and Vancouver Coastal Health

Advocates for decriminalization and safe supply of drugs stood outside Nelson’s city hall on April 14th. In the month of April, 161 British Columbians died from the toxic drug supply, according to the BC Coroners Service. (Bill Metcalfe/News Staff)
Trina Hunt’s remains were found in the Hope area on March 29, 2021. A man was arrested outside her Port Moody home on June 3, 2022 but has since been released. (Photo courtesy of IHIT.)

Man arrested in connection with killing of Trina Hunt released; Police continue probe

Homicide team arrested man outside Hunt’s home on June 3

Trina Hunt’s remains were found in the Hope area on March 29, 2021. A man was arrested outside her Port Moody home on June 3, 2022 but has since been released. (Photo courtesy of IHIT.)
B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Review into B.C.’s 2021 heat dome deaths finds 93% didn’t have air conditioning

Cooling requirements in new builds among recommendations by BC Coroners Service’s report

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Painter Christopher Pratt is shown in a family handout photo. Pratt, long considered one of Canada’s greatest painters, has died at 86. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Pratt Family **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Christopher Pratt, prominent Canadian painter and printmaker, dies at 86

Pratt is the designer of Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial flag

Painter Christopher Pratt is shown in a family handout photo. Pratt, long considered one of Canada’s greatest painters, has died at 86. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Pratt Family **MANDATORY CREDIT**
A University of British Columbia researcher says it’s unclear what the cause of the majority of B.C.’s deaths during 18-months of the pandemic is. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. saw more deaths than expected over 18 months, but research can’t pinpoint why

Only 22 per cent of excess deaths during research period are directly attributed to COVID-19

A University of British Columbia researcher says it’s unclear what the cause of the majority of B.C.’s deaths during 18-months of the pandemic is. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A Toronto Hydro line worker works to restore power to a house in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. A severe thunderstorm with high winds has created power outages across Ontario and led to at least four deaths. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

At least 5 dead, thousands without power after storm tears through Ontario, Quebec

4 people dead as the result of falling trees

A Toronto Hydro line worker works to restore power to a house in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. A severe thunderstorm with high winds has created power outages across Ontario and led to at least four deaths. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
This July will mark 10 years since the day Ashley Chauvin’s body was found on the bank of the Nicomekl River in South Surrey. Her mom continues to hold out hope that someone will come forward with information on her daughter’s last days. (File photo/Contributed photo)

B.C. mom appeals for information in unsolved death of daughter 10 years ago

Ashley Chauvin’s body was found near the Nicomekl River in July 2012

This July will mark 10 years since the day Ashley Chauvin’s body was found on the bank of the Nicomekl River in South Surrey. Her mom continues to hold out hope that someone will come forward with information on her daughter’s last days. (File photo/Contributed photo)
Eva Hompoth says she isn’t getting hung up on what her cancer diagnosis is taking away from her, but is focusing instead on cherishing the time she has left. (Contributed photo)

Facing terminal cancer, BC woman holds ‘Ashes Shower’

‘Even if I’m not here, the memories, I still want them to be fun,’ says Eva Hompoth

Eva Hompoth says she isn’t getting hung up on what her cancer diagnosis is taking away from her, but is focusing instead on cherishing the time she has left. (Contributed photo)
B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating a death in Vernon after RCMP transported a man to hospital. The man went into medical distress and died. (Black Press files)

B.C. police watchdog investigating Vernon death

Man went into medical distress after being taken to hospital by RCMP; IIO looking into case

B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating a death in Vernon after RCMP transported a man to hospital. The man went into medical distress and died. (Black Press files)
Danielle Pritchett was supported by friends and family as she spoke in Kelowna’s Ben Lee Park on April 28, 2022 about her son Cailen Vilness, a victim of the July 2021 Kelowna crane collapse (Brittany Webster)

Mom of man killed in Kelowna crane collapse speaks out on workplace Day of Mourning

161 work related deaths were reported in B.C. in 2021

  • Apr 28, 2022
Danielle Pritchett was supported by friends and family as she spoke in Kelowna’s Ben Lee Park on April 28, 2022 about her son Cailen Vilness, a victim of the July 2021 Kelowna crane collapse (Brittany Webster)
B.C. Coroners Service has reopened the investigation into the death of Lake Country woman Arlene Westervelt (File)

B.C. Coroner reopens case of Lake Country woman’s drowning

Arlene Westervelt died while canoeing with her husband on Okanagan Lake in June 2016

  • Apr 24, 2022
B.C. Coroners Service has reopened the investigation into the death of Lake Country woman Arlene Westervelt (File)
Godfrey’s Aunt says that Austyn was a beautiful soul (Kelly Robertson/ GoFundMe.com)

No updates or arrests 3 months after suspicious Kelowna death

Austyn Godfrey was found dead at a Kelowna dog park, after warning her friends the may be murdered

Godfrey’s Aunt says that Austyn was a beautiful soul (Kelly Robertson/ GoFundMe.com)
Naloxone kits are available for free at BC pharmacies (file photo)

Moms Stop the Harm Kelowna marking 6 years of the opioid crisis

2,224 British Columbians died from toxic drug overdose in 2021

  • Apr 14, 2022
Naloxone kits are available for free at BC pharmacies (file photo)
Canadian astronauts (left to right) Dave Williams, Bjarni Tryggvason and David Saint-Jacques take part in the opening of The Living In Space exhibit during its unveiling at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa on Thursday, May 12, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

One of Canada’s original six astronauts and Space Shuttle vet dies

Bjarni Tryggvason has died at the age of 76

Canadian astronauts (left to right) Dave Williams, Bjarni Tryggvason and David Saint-Jacques take part in the opening of The Living In Space exhibit during its unveiling at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa on Thursday, May 12, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Shannon Boothman, pictured here with her beloved dog Itska in 2020, is believed to have died of hypothermia in Tofino early Sunday morning.

Hypothermia suspected in death of Tofino woman found after heavy storm

“She was always a friendly person and she was a good person. It’s a sad thing.”

Shannon Boothman, pictured here with her beloved dog Itska in 2020, is believed to have died of hypothermia in Tofino early Sunday morning.
John Dickinson, 30, is remembered as a loving, outgoing and adventurous man. He was stabbed outside a bar on Yates Street in the early hours of March 1 and died in hospital. (Courtesy Matt Roulston)

‘I want justice for Johnny’: Loved ones remember ‘The Hug Guy’ dead in B.C. stabbing

Murder charge laid in Victoria’s first homicide of 2022

John Dickinson, 30, is remembered as a loving, outgoing and adventurous man. He was stabbed outside a bar on Yates Street in the early hours of March 1 and died in hospital. (Courtesy Matt Roulston)