BC Coroners Service sets November 9 inquest into the death of Chase de Balinhard, 15, during a Surrey police encounter
A coroner's inquest into the February 2025 death of Chase de Balinhard, who was 15 years old, will begin November 9 in Burnaby and will be livestreamed to the public.
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The BC Coroners Service announced on October 29, 2026 that a public inquest into the death of Chase de Balinhard will begin November 9, 2026 in Burnaby. Chase was 15 years old when he died on February 9, 2025, following events that involved the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit.
The inquest will be held at the Burnaby Coroners Court on the 20th floor of Metrotower II, 4720 Kingsway, Burnaby, starting at 9:30 a.m. BC Coroners Service says the inquest will also be livestreamed, so the public can watch online without travelling to Burnaby.
Why there must be an inquest
Under section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory when a person dies while detained by or in the custody of a peace officer. The BC Coroners Service announcement states that Chase died following events involving the two police agencies.
An inquest is a public process. BC Coroners Service explains three purposes: establishing the facts of how, when, where and by what means Chase died; making recommendations, where evidence supports them, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and ensuring public confidence that the circumstances of the death will not be overlooked or concealed. A jury may make recommendations but cannot assign legal responsibility.
Coroner John Knox will preside. A jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath and may make recommendations, but the Coroners Act does not allow a jury to make a finding of legal responsibility or express a conclusion of law.
Attending or watching
The inquest begins on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Seats are available in person at the Burnaby Coroners Court. BC Coroners Service will also carry a livestream at the inquest schedule page on gov.bc.ca.
People watching online may not record or distribute the proceedings. Accredited media who attend in person may record for the accuracy of their notes only, and may not broadcast those recordings.
BC Coroners Service updates its inquest schedule at gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts, where the livestream link will also appear once the inquest begins.
Questions this story answers
When does the inquest into the death of Chase de Balinhard begin?
The inquest begins Monday, November 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time. BC Coroners Service announced the dates on October 29, 2026. The inquest will be held at the Burnaby Coroners Court on the 20th floor of Metrotower II, 4720 Kingsway, Burnaby, and will also be available by livestream.
How did Chase de Balinhard die?
BC Coroners Service received a report on February 9, 2025 about a death following events involving the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, the agency's announcement says. Chase de Balinhard was 15 years old at the time of his death. The inquest will establish the facts of how, when, where and by what means he died.
Why is an inquest mandatory in this case?
Under section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory for any death that occurs while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer, BC Coroners Service explains in the announcement. A coroner's inquest establishes facts and may make recommendations; it cannot make a finding of legal responsibility or blame. Its three purposes are: to determine the facts of the death, to make recommendations where evidence supports them, and to ensure public confidence that the circumstances of the death will not be concealed.
Who will preside at the inquest?
Coroner John Knox will serve as the presiding coroner at the inquest into Chase de Balinhard's death, according to the BC Coroners Service announcement of October 29, 2026. A jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath. The jury may make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances, but may not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.
Can the public watch the inquest?
Yes. BC Coroners Service says the inquest will be livestreamed, allowing the public and media to attend virtually. The link to watch is at gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts. People attending in person or watching online may not record or publish the proceedings. People may attend in person at the Burnaby Coroners Court, 20th floor of Metrotower II, 4720 Kingsway, Burnaby.
What is the BC Coroners Service's role in a death in police custody?
BC Coroners Service investigates deaths that are sudden, unexpected, unnatural or unexplained. Under section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, a death that occurs while a person is detained by or in the custody of a peace officer requires a mandatory public inquest. The inquest determines the facts of the death and may make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances. It does not assign criminal or civil liability.
What police agencies were involved in the events before Chase de Balinhard's death?
The BC Coroners Service announcement names the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit as the agencies involved in events that preceded Chase de Balinhard's death on February 9, 2025. The announcement does not describe the specific events. The inquest will hear evidence from witnesses about what happened.
Where can I find more information about the inquest schedule?
BC Coroners Service publishes its inquest schedule and jury findings at gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts. That page also holds the livestream link when the inquest begins November 9, 2026.
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