Coroner unable to determine cause of suspicious death on lake

Photo: CTV News

Arlene Westervelt

The BC Coroners Service has been unable to determine an exact cause of death for a woman who drowned in Okanagan Lake under suspicious circumstances in 2016.

Arlene Westervelt drowned while canoeing with her husband Bert, who would later be charged with second degree-murder for the incident. Those charges were eventually stayed, with the husband always maintaining innocence.

CTV News is now reporting the coroner’s report related to Arlene Westervelt death has described it as sudden and "after falling out of a canoe."

The report notes that Arlene’s body was not found until the next day. An autopsy would find hemorrhages along the neck, and scleral hemorrhages on the eyes.

"While these hemorrhages can be associated with physical compression of the neck, there were no marks on the skin of the neck, no injury to the hyoid bone, and no petechiae in or around the eyes," the report said.

"Given that death occurred in the setting of water, drowning could not be confirmed or ruled out… Subsequent information and autopsy findings raised the possibility of inflicted injury but were not determinative."

The report says she also had an undiagnosed cardiac condition which could have played a factor.

The coroner's report stated Bert Westervelt told police they were not wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. The report also noted a witness who called 911 after seeing the canoe tip over, diving in to help find the woman.

Coroner Lori Moen wrote there was not enough evidence to support one possible cause of death over another.

The charges against Bert Westervelt were stayed last year after prosecutors said they obtained new information that greatly reduced the likelihood of conviction. Arlene Westervelt's family, meanwhile, are demanding the the Crown resumes prosecution of the case.

with files from CTV Vancouver