Dates announced for coroners inquest into death of George Wayne Prevost
Scheduled from May 28 to June 6, 2025, the coroner's inquest into George Wayne Prevost's death will be held at Burnaby Coroners’ Court, reflecting the importance of transparency in cases involving police encounters. Prevost, who died at age 42 in November 2020, was reported to have passed away following interactions with the Vancouver Police Department. Under the Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory for deaths occurring while an individual is detained by a peace officer, ensuring a thorough examination of such incidents. The inquest, overseen by coroner Susan Barth, will involve a jury that will gather evidence from witnesses under oath. Their findings will focus on the facts surrounding Prevost's death and may include recommendations aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Notably, the jury is restricted from making any findings of legal responsibility or conclusions of law, emphasizing the inquest's non-fault-finding nature. The proceedings will be closed to broadcasting and publication to protect the integrity of the inquiry. For more information about the inquest process, interested parties can refer to the BC Coroners Service website.