One week after death of Jeffrey Canuel, his family waits for answers

The finalconversation Ken Canuel had with his younger brotherJeffrey was a light-heartedtext exchange.

Jeffrey, 26,was on a night out with friends in Vancouver last Sunday night. He'd gone to acouple of bars and was in a good mood.

The two brothers typed casualcatch-up notes.

The next afternoon,Canuel, 32, was devastated to learn that Jeffreyhad been found dead near a park bench at the corner of CambieStreet and 2nd Avenue.

Nearly a week later, Canuel and his family still don't know howJeffrey died. An autopsy report was inconclusive.

"Did he die of an overdose?Did he take something?Did someone spike his drink?"Canuelasked.

"Everything is running through our heads."

Toxicology delay

And now they've been told that toxicology tests, which previously took between three andfour weeks, might not be available for up to four months.

The family was told by the BC Coroners Service that thewait was due to a backlog caused by the opioid crisis.

Canuel, who lives in Chilliwack,said the family wants answers about Jeffrey's death. If toxicology labs are backed up due to the opioid crisis, then more staff should be hired, he said.

"Is the next family going to have to wait six months, seven months?"

Canuel said he finds it hard to believethat his brother suffered a drugoverdose. He was a happy, outgoing person and there was no history of mental illness.

Hesaid his younger brother, who worked in an auto-parts warehouse,loved to take hours-longwalks,rain or shine.

Cellphone still missing

Sunday night, Jeffrey played cards at a bar on West Hastings Street, then went to another bar with a co-worker.

That friend suggested the two take the bus home together to New Westminster, but Jeffrey wanted to go back to the bar to resume thecard game.

Hecalled anotherroommate around midnight but he was asleep and did not pick up. Canuel was not heard from again.

A witness who saw him Monday morning called first responders, but efforts to resuscitatehim but were unsuccessful.

Canuel was found with$20 on him plus a bank card and a transit card. His phone remainsmissing.

The co-worker said Jeffrey Canuel was drinking Sunday night, but in good spirits,

His brothersaid he last textedJeffrey at about 8.45 p.m. PT,asking if was planning another "epic" walk soon.

Vancouver police and the BC Coroners Service did not immediately respond to requests for interviews.

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