Mike Martin, Chantel Moore’s younger brother, died by suicide earlier this month just six months after the death of his sister.
According to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Mike was dealing with the trauma of his older sister Chantel being fatally shot by police in Edmunston, New Brunswick on June 4 of this year.
“The news of his sister’s ghastly death disturbed Mike deeply and he has had a hard time dealing with this. Mike looked up to Chantel and family and friends described them as ‘two peas in a pod,'” the tribal council said in a release.
On November 14, Mike’s mother Martha Martin received a phone call and was informed that her 23-year-old son had killed himself in the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre.
“The fact that a Nuu-chah-nulth mother could have two children die in less than six months dealing with the justice system is unbearable, staggering and appalling,” said the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.
The family is awaiting the results of an internal investigation before deciding whether or not to make any comments, but Martha says the justice system failed her children.
Although reluctant to speak on this tragic event, Martha strongly believes, “We cannot be silent and let this go by unnoticed. There must be immediate changes to the justice system, we need justice for Chantel and her brother Mike.”
READ MORE: Mother of Chantel Moore breaks silence, calls for police to be held accountable
President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Judith Sayers says we need to eradicate systemic racism to prevent the continuing effects of one tragic event.
“His death was a compounding effect from the shooting of his sister on a wellness check. One horrific injustice imperilled the life of another. The police officer that took Chantel’s life inevitably took another,” said reads the release from the council.
Mike was an advocate for the homeless having been homeless once himself.
In honour of Mike, the family will provide winter clothing, blankets and a meal for the homeless at Roger Creek Park in Port Alberni on Saturday.
According to the tribal council, Mike had his whole life ahead of him and was looking forward to moving to New Brunswick to live with his mother, father and niece.
CHEK News
