Investigation seeks witnesses to determine police role before Langley boy's death
Credit to Author: Lynn Mitges| Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2019 02:20:55 +0000
The Independent Investigations office of B.C. — which is looking into the circumstances of the death of a 14-year-old Langley boy — says two officers went to the area where the teen reportedly was on Aug. 7, but couldn’t find him.
The case involves Langley boy identified as Carson Crimeni, who was discovered at Langley’s Walnut Grove Community Centre in medical distress believed to be caused by a narcotics overdose. Crimeni later died in hospital.
The IIO reported on Aug. 13 that they were concerned after a media story reported there may have been “inaction” by police officers before the boy was found. According to the IIO, RCMP received a call from someone who had seen a Snapchat photo of the boy and was concerned.
IIO says two officers went to conduct a welfare check on the boy on that date but could not find him.
In a release, the IIO said the investigation was launched “to determine what role, if any, the officers’ actions or inactions may have played in the incident that followed.”
Friends and family at a vigil held Aug. 8 for Carson Crimeni.
The IIO is requesting that anyone who heard or may have seen officers to contact the witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
Meanwhile, the coroners service’s investigation will examine how, where, when and by what means the boy came to his death.
The coroners service did not share other details.
Grief-stricken friends and family mourned Crimeni at a vigil held Aug. 8 at the Walnut Grove Skate Park.
Hundreds of people attended the vigil with flowers to remember the Grade 9 student, including fellow students, parents, and police officers.
Investigators believe the teen spent his last hours on foot between the Walnut Grove Skateboard Park, the grounds of Walnut Grove Secondary School and the Walnut Grove Athletic Park behind the high school.
They want to speak with anyone who may have been directly interacted with the boy before his death.
Police also say it is possible he was in the various parks as early as noon on Aug. 7.