B.C. Coroners Service sets inquest dates in Chase de Balinhard’s death

The B.C. Coroners Service has scheduled an inquest to examine the circumstances surrounding Chase de Balinhard’s death. It will begin Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Burnaby Coroners’ Court, on the 20th floor of Metrotower II, 4720 Kingsway, in Metrotown, Burnaby.

The B.C. Coroners Service received a report on Feb. 9, 2025, advising of a death following events involving members of the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit. Chase de Balinhard was 15 at the time of his death. Under Section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory for any death that occurs while a person is detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.

An inquest is a public inquiry that does not determine fault. Its three primary functions are to establish the facts of a death, including the deceased’s identity and how, when, where and by what means the person died, as well as a classification of the death; to make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and to provide public confidence that the circumstances surrounding an individual’s death will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.

John Knox will preside. He and a jury will hear sworn witness evidence to determine the facts surrounding the death. The jury may make recommendations as described above, but must not make findings of legal responsibility or express conclusions of law.

The inquest will be livestreamed for public and media attendance. Reproducing, broadcasting or publishing proceedings is prohibited, including on social media, whether someone attends in person or virtually. Media accredited by the Supreme Court may record solely to ensure the accuracy of their notes, but recordings must not be broadcast in any form. Accredited media members must show proof of accreditation to the sheriff and keep it visibly displayed whenever recording or using electronic devices in court. Recording for any other purpose, or by anyone without appropriate accreditation, is strictly prohibited.

Information about inquests and the livestream are available at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts. The B.C. Coroners Service website is http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/. Media contact: Amber Schinkel, Manager, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, B.C. Coroners Service, amber.schinkel@gov.bc.ca, 236-969-1759. The original announcement is at https://news.gov.bc.ca/34344.