ѻý

Skip to content

EXCLUSIVE: Death of 23-year-old woman found in Fraser River classified as ѻýundeterminedѻý: coroner

ѻýIѻým so heartbroken for Shae. Iѻým disgusted with our systemѻý ѻý Shaelene Bellѻýs mother
30988037_web1_210626-CPL-Shaelene-Bell-Celebration-Of-Life-Coverage_5
Candles with messages from Shaelene Bellѻýs two boys were lit during her celebration of life at Sandpiper Resort on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Her death has been classified as ѻýundeterminedѻý by BC Coroners Service. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

The death of Chilliwackѻýs Shaelene Keeler Bell has now been classified as ѻýundeterminedѻý by BC Coroners Service.

The report was released to Black Press Media by Bellѻýs mother, Alina Durham, on Thursday, Nov. 10.

ѻýUnfortunately, this is another broken system,ѻý Durham said after receiving the report, parts of which she thinks are misleading.

Bell, a 23-year-old mother of two, was last seen on Jan. 30, 2021 and was reported missing to Chilliwack RCMP the next day. Her body was found on June 2, 2021 in the Fraser River near Coquitlam.

READ MORE:

ѻýPort Authority workers found her in the Fraser River, between the Pattullo and Port Mann bridges,ѻý the coronerѻýs report stated. ѻýAn autopsy revealed the cause of death was drowning. Additionally, there was no evidence of traumatic injury. Toxicological testing revealed the presence of her prescription medications.ѻý

The immediate cause of death was ѻýasphyxia due to, or a consequence of, drowning.ѻý

Coronersѻý reports place the death into one of five classifications: accidental, homicide, natural, suicide, or undetermined. Bellѻýs death was found to be undetermined.

On Feb. 1, 2021, police found her vehicle parked at the end of Ballam Road in Chilliwack near the Fraser River and, despite extensive searches by the police and the community, she remained missing until June 2, 2021.

Police did not find evidence to support foul play.

ѻýInvestigation did not reveal how or when Shaelene Bell entered the water. Family reported she was a competent swimmer,ѻý the report stated. ѻýShe attended Chilliwack (General) Hospital on the evening of Jan. 29, 2021, and staff arranged an outpatient mental health appointment as she requested help with stress.ѻý

Durham commented on the report after reading it.

ѻýThereѻýs a very misleading paragraph. I feel that theyѻýre implying something when we have no facts based on it at all,ѻý she said.

ѻýIѻým so heartbroken for Shae. Iѻým disgusted with our system.ѻý

RELATED:


 

Do you have something else we should report on?
Email: jenna.hauck@theprogress.com
Twitter:

Like us on and follow us on .



Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
Read more



(or

ѻý

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }