Wife Speaks At Inquest Into Prince George Custody Death

An emotional testimony was heard as a coroner’s inquest began into the death of Everett Riley Patrick, a 42-year-old man from the Lake Babine Nation who died in police custody in Prince George, British Columbia, in April 2020.

The inquest, now underway in Burnaby, is examining the circumstances surrounding Patrick’s death following his arrest by RCMP officers. The proceedings are being led by a presiding coroner and a five-member jury, who will hear evidence from family members, medical professionals, and law enforcement officials to establish the facts.

Patrick was taken into custody on April 12, 2020, after police responded to a reported break-and-enter at a sporting goods store in downtown Prince George. During the arrest, officers used tear gas and a police dog. According to official reports, Patrick was pulled to the ground during the incident, and it remains unclear whether he struck his head.

After the arrest, Patrick was taken to hospital where he was medically assessed and cleared. However, upon arrival at the police detachment, his condition appeared to decline. Reports indicate that he fell several times and was later found in medical distress inside his cell. He was taken back to hospital, where he died on April 20, 2020.

A post-mortem examination determined that Patrick died from a brain hemorrhage caused by blunt force injuries.

During the first day of the inquest, Patrick’s wife, Jennifer Alexander, gave a deeply personal account of his life. She described him as a caring father of six who was devoted to his family and always stayed connected with his children.

She told the court that he took pride in being both a father and a grandfather and made efforts to stay involved in his family’s lives. Despite his struggles, she said his love for his family remained strong.

Alexander also spoke about Patrick’s long battle with addiction, explaining that he had tried multiple times to seek help for drug and alcohol use but was unable to overcome it. She described the loss as devastating and said the family continues to search for answers about what happened in the final days of his life.

The inquest will continue over the coming days, with more witnesses expected to testify. Its purpose is not to assign blame, but to examine the facts and circumstances of the death and make recommendations that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Under provincial law, inquests are required in cases where a person dies while in police custody. The findings of the jury may lead to recommendations aimed at improving procedures and ensuring greater accountability in such situations.