Family calls for change at funeral for Langley teen who died of apparent overdose
Credit to Author: The Canadian Press| Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2019 01:44:35 +0000
The family of a 14-year-old B.C. boy whose apparent overdose death was filmed and posted on social media delivered a powerful call for change at his funeral Thursday.
Carson Crimeni’s family believes the drugs were given to him by others who wanted to share his reaction on the internet, and the case is being investigated by the RCMP and B.C.’s police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO).
“I loved my son. I loved him very, very much,” his mother, Chantell Griffiths, told a crowd of hundreds gathered in a church in Langley. “I feel that there’s a real need for change to happen in our world so this doesn’t happen again to any other child or anybody for that matter.”
Carson Crimeni’s father Aron Crimeni is seen on a video screen wiping away tears while speaking about his late 14-year-old son during a celebration of life for the teenager in Langley, B.C. on Thursday August 29, 2019.
Family and friends who spoke at the funeral remembered the teen as a funny, energetic boy who loved to cook, play video games and joke with his buddies. But they also urged mourners to take action against peer pressure and teenage drug use so his death wouldn’t be in vain.
Bella Griffiths said her brother was a sweet, caring and loving boy whose tragic death was caused by “heartless” people. It hurts her to think of the pain he felt in the hours before he died Aug. 7, she said.
“At only 14 years old, his life was taken, and he was just trying to fit in. All he ever wanted to do was fit in and have friends who loved him,” she said. “I really hope after this, people really start to realize that drugs are not a joke. They can take anyone away in a heartbeat.”
Carson Crimeni’s sister Bella Griffiths wipes away tears while speaking about her late 14-year-old brother during a celebration of life for the teenager in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
She recalled fond memories with her brother, including trips to a water park every summer. Griffiths said she would go down a slide first and stop herself, so that when he arrived behind her, they could go down the slide together even though it was against the rules.
“We got in trouble one time,” she said, with a slight smile through tears.
The teen’s father, Aron Crimeni, said his son loved nothing more than making people laugh, even from an early age. He remembered how, as a two-year-old, the little boy tricked him into thinking he had accidentally slammed a refrigerator door shut on his son’s hand.
It turned out he was hiding his hand in a space next to the door, and the toddler laughed and pointed at him, Crimeni recalled.
Carson Crimeni’s minor hockey teammates, including Griffyn Fortier, top left, listen during a celebration of life for the late 14-year-old in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
As the boy grew older, his “main love” and pastime became playing video games, his father said. He also wanted to start a YouTube channel, and the elder Crimeni remembered how he promised his son that if he kept his grades up this fall, he’d buy him recording equipment for Christmas.
His son loved animals, especially his cat Coco, and dreamed of being a veterinarian, his dad added. He was also a devoted chef who would drag his father away from the frozen aisle so he could cook up something fresh, he remembered.
He added that the boy also loved to swim and play hockey.
Carson Crimeni’s father Aron Crimeni, centre, wipes away tears as he and other family members leave after a celebration of life for his late 14-year-old son in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
“He wanted nothing more than to be a good friend to people and to have that friendship returned. In his entire 14 years, I can’t think of a single time I heard him say a negative, bad or down word about anybody, ever,” Crimeni said, his voice breaking. “I just want to say to my son: ‘Thank you for being my best friend.’ ”
The IIO has said RCMP were contacted at about 8 p.m. on the day Crimeni died by someone who had seen a Snapchat photo of him and was concerned about his welfare.
A photo of Carson Crimeni is projected on a wall as people listen during a celebration of life for the late 14-year-old in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
Two RCMP members went to an area around a skateboard park, secondary school and athletic park in Langley’s Walnut Grove neighbourhood, but the investigations office said the two left when they found no sign of him.
Crimeni was found later that night in an area near the skateboard park and was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead. RCMP have set up a tip line seeking anyone who may have seen Crimeni in the hours before he died.
People gather for a celebration of life for Carson Crimeni in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
Two women embrace after a celebration of life for Carson Crimeni in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
Carson Crimeni’s father Aron Crimeni walks off the stage after speaking about his late 14-year-old son in Langley, B.C., on Thursday August 29, 2019.
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