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 the death of Chase de Balinhard. It will begin Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at Burnaby Coroners’ Court, on the 20th floor of Metrotower II at 4720 Kingsway in Metrotown. Proceedings start at 9:30 a.m.

On Feb. 9, 2025, the service received a report advising that de Balinhard had died following events involving members of the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit. He was 15. Under Section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory when someone dies while detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.

A coroner’s inquest is a public inquiry that does not determine fault. Its three main 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 classify the death; make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and provide public confidence that the circumstances of a person’s death will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.

Presiding coroner John Knox and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding the death. The jury may make recommendations, but must not find anyone legally responsible or express a conclusion of law.

The inquest will be livestreamed for the public and media. Reproducing, broadcasting or publishing proceedings is prohibited, including on social media, whether attending in person or virtually. Supreme Court-accredited media may record proceedings solely to ensure the accuracy of their notes; recordings must not be broadcast in any form. Accredited media members must show proof of accreditation to the sheriff and display it visibly at all times when 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 of strategic communications and media relations, B.C. Coroners Service; amber.schinkel@gov.bc.ca; 236-969-1759.