Salmon Arm long term care facility death not a homicide as previously suspected

SALMON ARM – A Coroners Service investigation has determined the death of a man at a Salmon Arm long term care facility was not the result of an assault as had been alleged by a nurse at the facility.

On October 2nd, John Edward Young, 93, was found lying on the floor of another resident’s room at the Bastion Place care home. The other man, who allegedly has a history of violence, was standing over Young holding onto his clothing.

Both men suffered from dementia and it could not be determined what had happened.

The coroner reports Young’s level of consciousness began to significantly decline and five days later he died.

A post-mortem examination found no indication of trauma other than minor bruising to Young’s left shoulder.

“In the absence of any traumatic injuries, the manner of death is determined to be natural and the cause of death was established from previous medical history as atherosclerotic coronary artery disease”, says coroner Andrew Cave.

He made no recommendations.