WARNING: This story discusses suicide
B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has opened a file into the case a Langley man who was checked on several times by the RCMP before his self-inflicted death.
According to an IIO announcement, on Jan. 10, the Langley RCMP received calls about a man living in the 20200 block of 66th Avenue, with calls at 6:45 a.m. and 9:05 a.m.
Officers went to the man’s home both times, at 7 a.m. and 9:20 a.m., and on both occasions they spoke to the man before leaving, according to info IIO gathered from the RCMP.
There was another request to check on the man at around 2 p.m. on Jan. 14. An officer attended the home and tried to speak to the man around 2:35 p.m., but was unsuccessful. Police did not attempt to enter his apartment.
At 4 p.m. the same day, officers returned with Langley Township firefighters and entered the man’s unit, where they found him dead.
The IIO investigates any death or serious injury in B.C. in which police interacted with the person shortly before their death.
The agency is asking anyone with relevant information on this incident to contact the IIO witness line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477, or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
If you feel like you are in crisis or are considering suicide, please call the Crisis Centre BC suicide hotline at 1-800-784-2433.
Other resources include: Canada Suicide Prevention Service at Toll free: 1-833-456-4566. You can also text 45645 or visit the online chat service at crisisservicescanada.ca.
Some warning signs include suicidal thoughts, anger, recklessness, mood changes, anxiety, lack of purpose, helplessness and substance use.