Man's body went undiscovered for days in B.C. housing facility as dad repeatedly denied entry, family says
CTV
A grieving B.C. family is demanding answers after their loved one was allegedly left dead in his room at a supportive housing facility for days, while his father’s repeated requests to visit him were denied.
A grieving B.C. family is demanding answers after their loved one was allegedly left dead in his room at a supportive housing facility for days, while his father’s repeated requests to visit him were denied.
Joshua Soestmeyer died of an overdose at Cliff Block – a 16-room facility for people struggling with addiction and mental health issues in New Westminster – on July 22, according to his aunt, Heather Lee.
The 28-year-old’s father, Eric Soestmeyer, told CTV News he asked to see his son that day, but was turned away.
The father, who declined an interview Wednesday, said he attempted to visit the following four days as well and was refused each time.
“He was dead in his bed (for days) before anyone noticed he was dead, despite his father going by Cliff Block every day, demanding a wellness check,” Lee said.
She said the family was eventually notified of Joshua’s death by the BC Coroners Service on July 27, but that coroners determined he actually died days earlier.
In an email to CTV News, the BCCS confirmed there was a death at Cliff Block on July 22.
