DUNCAN — Police have decided against laying charges in connection with the death of an 82-year-old Chemainus man in the Cowichan District Hospital last summer, after a seven-month investigation determined he was not the victim of an unprovoked attack.
Gordon Kriese died in the hospital on July 10, 2014, seven days after an altercation with his roommate in the hospital. The North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP were notified of the death on July 18.
“Despite a lengthy investigation, we have found no evidence to suggest the deceased was the victim of an unprovoked attack while in the care of the Cowichan District Hospital,” Island RCMP spokesman Cpl. Darren Lagan said.
According to Lagan, an investigation was started the day police learned of the death.
Through the investigation, they learned that both men involved in the altercation “suffered from medical conditions which significantly impacted their mental abilities and health.”
Over the seven months, investigators gathered evidence that included an eye-witness statement from an uninvolved party, detailed medical records for both men, and the findings of the B.C. Coroners Service and the Cowichan District Hospital.
“Based on a comprehensive review of all the evidence, investigators determined that the other involved party did not act with criminal intent to physically harm the deceased, and that the deceased was not the victim of an unprovoked attack,” Lagan said. “We understand the impact this death has had on the man’s family, and have remained in regular contact with his daughter.”
The Cowichan District Hospital also followed up on the incident and found no wrongdoing by staff in placing the men in the same room.
“Neither patient was considered a risk for violence,” Island Health spokeswoman Sarah Plank said. “This was a tragic and unpredictable event.”
Plank emphasized that Island Health has thoroughly looked into the causes of the altercation and what can be done to limit such incidents in the future. “The safety of patients and staff is a top priority,” she said. “When an incident occurs, we do our best to make sure the proper procedures are followed and any changes that need to be made are made.”
Staff at the hospital have undergone training about when to notify the coroner about a death. Training about when to notify the RCMP is under development, Plank said.
The coroner’s report on Kriese’s death is expected in the coming weeks.
