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Coroners inquest to probe deaths of Abbotsford hospital patients

An inquest will be held into the deaths of three mental health patients who died shortly after leaving Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
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A coroner's inquest will look into three deaths of people who died shortly after leaving Abbotsford Regional Hospital in December 2014 and April 2015.

The BC Coroners Service has announced that a public inquest will be held into the deaths of three persons who died shortly after leaving Abbotsford Regional Hospital in the last eight months.

Two of the deaths occurred on the same day.

Brian David Geisheimer, aged 30, most recently of Maple Ridge, died in Mission on Dec. 28, 2014.

Sebastien Pavit Abdi, aged 19, of Abbotsford, died at the family home on April 26, 2015. And Sarah Louise Charles, aged 41, died the same day near her Abbotsford apartment building.

Each of the three had been admitted patients at Abbotsford Regional Hospital for mental health issues within a few days of their deaths.

No more details about the deaths were released.

Presiding coroner Liana Wright and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding these deaths.

The inquest will begin May 16, and be held at the Burnaby Coroners Court.

The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances.

An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death.



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