The province’s police watchdog continues to investigate a Maple Ridge man’s death in custody that occurred in August 2025, and is asking anyone with information to contact their office.
According to the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C., at about 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 30, officers with Ridge Meadows RCMP responded to a call about a man who was reported to be in distress and screaming in the 20900-block of Lougheed Highway.
Five officers arrived, and the man who was the subject of the call was found to be laying down in traffic lanes on the highway. Police placed him in handcuffs and held him to prevent further injury.
The man was declared brain dead on Sept. 11. He was subsequently pronounced deceased on Oct. 11.
IIO investigators are currently finishing interviews and awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports, according to Rebecca Whalen, IIO media and communications spokesperson.
Investigators have also canvassed the area for witnesses and video. Any person who saw or recorded the incident, but who has not yet spoken to investigators, is asked to call the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or send an email to info@iiobc.ca.
The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency for officers and detention guards in British Columbia. It investigates all incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
When the man was in hospital, his family started a GoFundMe to raise money to transfer him to the United States for medical care. His sister spoke to The News back in September.
The 39-year-old father of six, including two with autism, suffered a cardiac arrest, brain trauma, and kidney failure. He was a steelworker.
Officers had called for assistance from BC Emergency Health Services, because the man did not respond to verbal communication, and they say he was hitting his head on the ground. Police attempted to control the man until an ambulance arrived, but he went into medical distress. Officers administered aid, and the man was taken by ambulance to hospital.
• ORIGINAL STORY: Family fights to keep Maple Ridge man on life support