RCMP call for change after homicide in Kelowna

Photo: RCMP

Lorence Earl Williams

The investigation into the homicide of Thomas Chadwick on May 30 remains a priority for the Kelowna RCMP.

At a news conference this week, commanding officer Supt. Kara Triance said the crime has had "an impact on our community that has resonated."

The file remains active, according to Triance, and has prompted the RCMP to push for more resources when it comes to dealing with situations where mental health is an issue.

"We will continue to advocate for more resources in this area. As we move forward, we see mental health calls climbing in our community."

The accused, 40-year-old Lorence Earl Williams, remains in custody and "is deeply impacted by mental conditions."

We now know that Kelowna RCMP conducted two wellness checks at the home the day before it was the site of the alleged murder, which prompted the Independent Investigations Office, B.C.'s police watchdog, to launch its own investigation into the file.

Triance said RCMP officers are often the first to respond to mental health calls. "We want to make sure that those files are resourced appropriately, where we can, with health resources."

She said the RCMP continues to advocate for amendments to the Mental Health Act and that the Kelowna RCMP has appeared before a special committee for police reform. "We believe that strong recommendations and changes will have compelling changes going forward."

Triance's superior, Chief Supt. Brad Haugli, called on Interior Health last year to expand its crisis team that partners a nurse with a police officer for mental health calls. He made the request in the wake of the infamous Mona Wang wellness check that has ended in a criminal charge for the responding officer. Interior Health declined.

Investigators are currently focused on disclosure in the Chadwick murder case, something Triance described as a labour-intensive process.

"There's a lot of investigative steps to bring a file of this level of complexity to successful conclusion. That file remains very much a priority for our detachment."

Williams makes his next court appearance on one count of second-degree murder on Sept. 28.