Family looking for answers at coroner’s inquest into death of inmate in police custody

The inquest into the death of EMDC inmate Drew Pearson got underway on Monday. CTV London’s Nick Paparella explains.

The five-person jury at the coroner’s inquest looking into the death of Drew Pearson heard he died while in police custody on Dec. 27, 2018.

At the time, the 29 year old was charged with arson in connection to a blaze set at a boarding house along St. Andrew Street in central London, Ont.

The inquest heard that he was arrested by officers while he was staying at the Men’s Mission on York Street days after the fire.

At the start of the proceedings, his sister Kelsey spoke on behalf of the family talking about how his once fulfilling life spiralled out of control due to his addiction.

She said, “He could have had an amazing life ... unfortunately around 20 years old he developed a drug addiction and then depression came along with that.”

Kelsey said the family tried their best to help Drew, “Until you’re in that position you don’t realize how little help there is for people dealing with addiction and how vulnerable they really are.”

While in custody, between time at London police headquarters, the cells at the London courthouse, and the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC), Pearson complained about severe back pain.

He died by staphylococcal sepsis after being rushed to hospital from the EMDC.

His sister told the inquest, “We realize this inquest is not to place blame ... we blame our smart son for getting himself in that situation and ourselves for thinking he was in a safe place with people who would care for him while he was under their watch.”

In the days before his arrest, Pearson was taken to University Hospital by his mother due to the same back issues.

Dr. Christine MacDonald, an emergency room physician, examined him and ran a number of tests.

She testified, “He (Pearson) had no fever, blood work was normal, he looked well, I wasn’t concerned about sepsis ... I wouldn’t have done anything differently.”

The inquest, which is expected to hear from 10 witnesses, is slated to last eight days.

After that, the jury will make recommendations to help prevent future similar incidents.