Cause of death still undetermined after IIO concludes probe of Parksville man’s death

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) has concluded its investigation into the death of a man in Parksville last month.

Police were initially called around 12:05 p.m. on March 24 after a witness noticed a man lying in a secluded area of brush away from an unmarked trail near Little Mountain, south of Parksville.

The witness called police after leaving the area.

The IIO press release says that Parksville RCMP officers arrived at the trail network and did an extensive search based on directions received from a family member of the original witness, but were unable to locate anyone at the time.

The press release adds that the next day, the witness returned to the area and saw the man, who appeared to be in the same position as the previous day. The witness then called 911. Police arrived and found the man in an area below an unmarked trail, and confirmed he was deceased.

The area where the body was found was in a different area than the one searched the previous day.

The BC Coroners Service is continuing an investigation related to the man’s cause of death.

The chief civilian director of the IIO has reviewed the evidence and determined there is no connection between any action or inaction of an officer and the affected person’s death.

The IIO investigation is now concluded.

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