A coroner’s inquest jury in British Columbia has determined that a family of four in Prince Rupert died from homicide and suicide in 2023. The panel recommends notifying police when individuals detained under the Mental Health Act are released from hospital.
Jury Determines Causes of Death
Christopher Duong, 38, died from self-inflicted wounds, while his partner Janet Nguyen, 35, and their sons, aged two and four, succumbed to homicide on June 13, 2023. Authorities discovered the family deceased in bed together at Nguyen’s parents’ home in Prince Rupert, three days after police detained Duong under the Mental Health Act and released him hours later.
Events Leading to Tragedy
On June 10, officers apprehended Duong after finding him driving erratically at 2 a.m. PT through Prince Rupert on British Columbia’s North Coast with Nguyen and their boys. He claimed they had to keep driving to avoid being killed in a ‘hit.’ The boys were found with teddy bears arranged at their feet.
A social worker testified that he did not narrow a five-day contact window for the family to 24 hours following the apprehension, believing Duong remained hospitalized.
Nine Key Recommendations Issued
The jury presented nine recommendations. They urged the Ministry of Health to revise hospital admission forms, enabling contact with the apprehending officer upon release from involuntary admission. Such updates, witnesses noted, would have prompted a different response from police and ministry staff.
Further suggestions to the Ministry of Health include expanding psychiatric and mental health services in hospitals and improving follow-up for discharged involuntary patients. The Northern Health authority should prioritize recruiting psychiatric nurses.
Dr. Barbara Kane, head of psychiatric care at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George, testified that the province requires more mental health supports.
Hospital and Police Improvements
Prince Rupert Regional Hospital must review seclusion room setups, described as nearing ‘torture’ conditions, where doctors felt uncomfortable detaining patients long-term. The facility should also adjust authorization processes for discontinuing tests on involuntary patients.
The RCMP faces recommendations to update training on communicating with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Staff were unaware of bladed weapons during Duong’s detention, information that witnesses said would have altered their assessment and response.
RCMP should also ensure preservation of former officers’ notebooks. The Ministry of Children and Family Development must train social workers on criteria for hospital admissions, durations, and releases of involuntary patients.
Investigation Details
RCMP Cpl. Matthew Blumberg, a crime scene investigator, revealed a video ‘last will and testament’ on Duong’s and Nguyen’s phones. Rumors linked Duong to the local drug trade, and a 2015 civil forfeiture claim labeled him a ‘violent gang member and drug trafficker’ known to police. However, no outstanding suspects exist, and evidence shows no outside involvement.
Coroner’s inquests establish facts surrounding deaths, offer preventive recommendations, and maintain public trust in the process.
