DAWSON CREEK -- The BC Corner’s Service have announced an inquest looking into the death of a 23-year-old who died while in police custody.
Jaime Diane Hope died in hospital five years ago after going into medical distress while in custody of the Dawson Creek RCMP.
The death prompted an investigation by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.
The investigation found Hope was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over and searched by RCMP. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle and both the driver and Hope were arrested.
She was strip-searched after it was suspected she was in possession of drugs and placed in a holding cell during the early morning hours of April 14, 2019.
According to the report, officers observed a change in her behaviour and called paramedics who rushed her hospital—she was declared deceased the next morning.
The IIO concluded that there was no evidence of wrong doing on December 16th, 2024.
Larry Marzinzik, the presiding coroner, and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding her death.
The jury will make recommendations that aim to curtail deaths under similar circumstances.
The inquest will take place on June 17th, 2024, and begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Dawson Creek Law Courts.
