Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

BC Coroners Service
Case No.: 2019-0297-0066

CORONER’S REPORT
INTO THE DEATH OF

BOTCHFORD JASON MICHAEL HAUK

SURNAME GIVEN NAMES

OF

COQUITLAM
MUNICIPALITY OF RESIDENCE

I, Kristin Vanderkuip, a Coroner in the Province of British Columbia, have investigated the death of the above named, which was reported

to me Coroner Nicole Mate the 29th day of April 2019, and as a result of such investigation have determined the following facts and

circumstances:

Gender:  MALE  FEMALE

Age: 48 YEARS
Death Premise: PRIVATE RESIDENCE
Place/Municipality of Death: MAPLE RIDGE Date of Death: APRIL 25, 2019
Municipality of Illness/Injury: MAPLE RIDGE Time of Death: PM HOURS
Injury/Illness:

MEDICAL CAUSE OF DEATH

(1) Immediate Cause of Death: a) Mixed Drug Toxicity (Fentanyl, Cocaine)

DUE TO OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF
A CONSEQUENCE OF
Antecedent Cause if any: b)

DUE TO OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF
Giving rise
A CONSEQUENCE OF to the immediate cause (a)
above, stating underlying cause last. c)

(2) Other Significant Conditions

Contributing to Death:

BY WHAT MEANS Unintentional illicit drug toxicity

CLASSIFICATION OF DEATH  ACCIDENTAL  HOMICIDE  NATURAL  SUICIDE  UNDETERMINED

NTAL HOMICIDE NATURAL SUICIDE UNDETERMINED

t 2020 Date Signed: AUGUST 11, 2020

Kristin Vanderkuip, Coroner
Province of British Columbia
Error! Reference source not found., Province of British
Columbia

This document has been prepared pursuant to the authority of the Chief Coroner, Coroners Act, S.B.C 2007 c.15
Section 53(2)
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 Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
BC Coroners Service
Case No.: 2019-0297-0066

CORONER’S REPORT
INTO THE DEATH OF

BOTCHFORD JASON MICHAEL HAUK

SURNAME GIVEN NAMES

INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS

On April 29, 2019, the BC Coroners Service was notified of a death at a private residence. Mr. Jason Michael Hauk
Botchford was found unresponsive in the bedroom of the residence at approximately 1100 hours. He was last known
alive on April 25, 2019, at 2120 hours. Emergency Health Services (EHS) paramedics attended and confirmed the death
without resuscitative efforts.

Upon physical examination at the scene by the attending coroner, Mr. Botchford was found lying supine on the floor,
where he was moved to be assessed during the 911 call. There was no observable traumatic injury or evidence of foul
play. Paraphernalia commonly associated with illicit substance use was present (a plastic straw, white powder, card
with white powder residue).

Mr. Botchford’s documented medical history is limited. There was no documented history of treatment for the effects
of substance use, recent hospitalizations, or prior opioid agonist treatment. At the time of his death, Mr. Botchford was
not followed by a family physician.

POST MORTEM/TOXICOLOGY EXAMINATION

In this case, an autopsy was not indicated. The cause of death was established through toxicology and was supported by
the investigative findings.

Toxicology detected a therapeutic to lethal concentration of fentanyl and the use of cocaine. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid
that has depressant effects on the central nervous system and can result in respiratory depression and failure. Cocaine is
a stimulant that may precipitate a sudden cardiac dysrhythmia. The effects of these substances, in isolation or when
combined, are unpredictable and sufficient to cause death.

CONCLUSION

I find that Mr. Jason Michael Hauk Botchford died in Maple Ridge on April 25, 2019, of a mixed drug toxicity
(fentanyl, cocaine). I classify this death as accidental and make no recommendations.

.................................................
Kristin Vanderkuip, Coroner
Province of British Columbia

This document has been prepared pursuant to the authority of the Chief Coroner, Coroners Act, S.B.C 2007 c.15
Section 53(2)
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