The BC Coroners Service says a coroner’s inquest will begin Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court into the death of Chase de Balinhard.
The Story
The BC Coroners Service says an inquest into the death of 15-year-old Chase de Balinhard will begin Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court, 20th floor, 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II, Metrotown, Burnaby, with proceedings scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.
The coroner’s inquest follows a report received by the BC Coroners Service on Feb. 9, 2025, advising of a death after events involving members of the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit.
The BC Coroners Service notes that, under Section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory for deaths that occur while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.
The service says the inquest is a non-fault-finding public inquiry that will determine facts related to the death, including the identity of the deceased and how, when, where and by what means the individual came to their death. It will also provide a classification for the death to make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to help prevent deaths in similar circumstances and to support public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.
John Knox has been named as the presiding coroner, and he and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding the death. The service says the jury can make recommendations, but a jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.
The BC Coroners Service says the inquest will be livestreamed so the public and media can attend virtually. It also states that reproduction, broadcasting and publishing of inquest proceedings is prohibited, including through social media, whether the inquest is attended in person or virtually. Supreme Court-accredited media may record the proceeding only for the accuracy of their notes, and any recording is not permitted to be broadcast. The service adds that accredited media must provide proof to the sheriff and visibly display their accreditation when recording or using electronic devices in court, and that recording for any other purpose, or by anyone without appropriate accreditation, is strictly prohibited.
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