Man whose body was found in North Thompson died of accidental drowning, coroner says

Photo: Castanet Staff

The death of a man whose body was found last year in the North Thompson River, near The Dunes at Kamloops Golf Course in Westsyde, has been ruled an accidental drowning.

Brandon Thomas Malkinson, 37, was found dead in the river on April 9, 2020.

According to a report from the BC Coroner’s Service report, Malkinson had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death, which was a contributing factor in his drowning.

An autopsy determined he drowned and toxicology testing detected fentanyl within a lethal range and a methamphetamine concentration associated with recreational use.

Malkinson was last known to be alive a week before his death, when he spoke with a family member, according to the report.

Malkinson had a history of problems with illicit drug use and was reported to use them chronically.

A person kayaking on the North Thompson River came across Malkinson’s body, which was submerged in water about a half-metre deep — 15 metres from the shore and 700 metres north of the golf course.

It’s unknown when or where Malkinson entered the river before his death. His family members said he was not an experienced swimmer.

There was no evidence of traumatic injury to his body and Mounties did not suspect foul play was involved in the death.