Crystal De Balinhard told the coroner’s inquest into her son Chase De Balinhard’s death that better communication and training are needed for first responders.
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The inquest into the death of 15-year-old Chase De Balinhard continued Monday with testimony from his mother, Crystal De Balinhard, who described the events leading up to Chase being shot and killed by RCMP officers.
Testifying through tears, De Balinhard said Feb. 9, 2025 was a “good day” for her son and family, and she described kissing him goodbye as he left for a rare outing with friends.
She told the inquest that after learning something had happened near the school, she rushed to the scene and described trying desperately to get close enough to say goodbye while saying the family was given very little information.
De Balinhard provided details about Chase’s medical history and diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, XYY syndrome, and OCD, and she told the inquest that he struggled with social cues, multiple instructions, loud noises, and aggressive tones.
She said a safety plan for moments of distress had been developed to emphasize calm communication, giving Chase space, using his name, and allowing him time to regulate, and she told the jury these were lessons police officers need to understand.
De Balinhard testified that this inquest is not “us against them,” and she called for more training so first responders recognize signs of distress in autistic individuals, suggesting a voluntary registry that could alert police when someone may have additional communication needs.
She also spoke directly to the jury about the life Chase should have had, saying he wanted to get a job, get married, and have a future.
Her testimony included Chase’s previous expressions of suicidal thoughts, including thoughts involving a firearm, and she said an inherited revolver was kept locked in her husband’s office with the key secured in a safe.
The inquest continued with testimony from Chase’s psychiatrist, Dr. Patricia Frew, with counsel for the RCMP and Surrey Police Service questioning Chase’s suicidal tendencies.
Frew told the inquest that Chase’s suicidal thoughts were “passive,” meaning there was no intent to act on them, and that they were his way of expressing distress.
During three years treating Chase, Frew said there were incidents of him acting out verbally at home and school, but she concluded he posed no risk to others and that his treatment was showing slow improvements.
The inquest is set to continue with testimony from Chase’s teacher, experts in firearms and de-escalation training, and the 911 operator who took the initial call on the day Chase was killed.
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