Coroner’s inquest into death of Whistler man tasered by RCMP

The death of a Whistler man who was tasered six times by RCMP officers will be the focus of a BC Coroners Service inquest.

Jason Koehler died in December 2020 during a confrontation with police after the 47-year-old allegedly refused to leave a restaurant at the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, determining a mix of serious health conditions and drugs contributed to the death.

A coroner’s inquest is mandatory if someone dies while being detained by police.

The BC Coroners Services say the inquest serves three primary functions:

• To determine the facts related to a death, including the identity of the deceased and how, when, where and by what means the individual came to their death, as well as a classification for the death;
• To make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and
• To ensure public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.

A jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts of the death, and the public may attend virtually via livestream.

The inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.