Coroner's inquest set to investigate death of prisoner in Abbotsford

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News Coroner's inquest set to investigate death of prisoner in Abbotsford Family and advocates of Kendal Lee Campeau alleged systemic abuse and failures in mental health care led to his death in custody in 2021 Author of the article: By J.J. Adams Published Sep 11, 2026 2 minute read Join the conversation The B.C. Coroner's Service is conducting an inquest in the death of Kendal Campeau, who died in 2021 at a correctional facility in Abbotsford. PHOTO BY JON MURRAY /PROVINCE Article content Nearly five years after Kendal Lee Campeau died of methadone toxicity in a federal prison in Abbotsford, a date has been set for the coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of his death. Article content When he died, the 31-year-old from Saskatchewan was about 18 months from the end of a seven-year sentence for assault, escape from lawful custody, possession for the purpose of trafficking and other charges. His family, as well as numerous advocacy groups and First Nations Justice Council, have pushed for an inquiry into his death, alleging systemic abuse and failures in his mental health care. Article content Article content Article content His family said he’d told them he’d been physically and sexually assaulted by prison officers and had another correctional officer give him a razor blade and encourage him to kill himself. A CBC report in July 2025 detailed how Campeau’s mental health deteriorated drastically in custody, and that his fatal overdose was the second he’d had that day. Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “(We) call on the B.C. Coroner to convene an inquest to meaningfully examine the treatment Mr. Campeau endured while in federal custody and examine the links between the abuses he suffered, his mental and physical health, and his death, and to make recommendations to prevent future deaths of incarcerated people,” the B.C. First Nations Justice Council wrote in a 2024 letter to B.C.’s chief coroner. Article content The inquest into the Campeau’s death will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 28 at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court, on the 20th floor, 4720 Kingsway in Burnaby. Article content B.C.’s chief coroner can call…