BURNABY (NEWS1130) – Emotional testimony at coroner’s inquest into the death of a BC woman whose house in Coquitlam was burned down by her mentally-ill son.

We’re hearing more about how communication could have been better between police and mental health professionals. We’re also hearing that police may not have had time to access and view Blake Salemink’s history on their computers before arriving at the scene.

The daughter of Colette, who died in the fire, told the court their mother was stressed a few weeks before the fire but never showed it, saying other people were worse off.

In the final day of testimony at the inquest, Erica Salemink explained to jurors that her mother tried reaching out to Blake, but says she was never lined up with the right people. “A mother’s love is like no other, it’s irreplaceable.”

Salemink said her mother couldn’t bring herself to make a police statement and had hoped there would be other resources to step in, but there weren’t.

Blake was charged with manslaughter but found not criminally responsible. To this day, Erica actively visits him in the mental hospital.

As a way of honoring her mother, Salemink brought her own son to the inquest, saying Colette couldn’t wait to be called grandma.

The jury has returned with 16 recommendations that include:

– Coquitlam RCMP, Port Moody Police, and the Fraser Health Authority work together to share information and set up 24-hour resource availability.

– Provincial Minister of Justice ensure mental health professionals be included in the training of police officers when it comes to crisis intervention and de-escalation training.

– The Provincial Minister of Justice and Minister of Health set up a system whereby after any incident or interaction with police, a record or memo be sent to a doctor or psych team with the details.

– For a trial period, institute a provincial program similar to Car 67 that would blanket the entire Lower Mainland. This program should include a ‘strike force’ of five cars, and each car should include a police officer and psych nurse.

– The definition of domestic violence be changed to include spousal, adult-child (above the age of minority), child-minor, and parental (living in the same dwelling).

– If a caregiver wishes to change the conditions of an extended leave, the psychiatrist or psych team must ensure the caregiver’s wishes are met within 24-36 hours.