Sister of VPD officer says Nicole Chan felt aimless before suicide
Posted January 23, 2023 7:01 am.
Last Updated January 24, 2023 7:49 am.
Editor’s note: This story contains references to suicide. If you or a loved one is at risk of self-harm, the BC Crisis Centre can be reached at 1-800-784-2433. Translation services are available.
The sister of a Vancouver police officer who died by suicide four years ago told a coroner’s inquest she believed Const. Nicole Chan was being blackmailed to have sex with another officer in the department.
The public inquest into Const. Chan’s death began Monday.
Her sister, Jennifer, told the inquest she believed her sister’s mental health problems stemmed from a sexual assault by her co-worker, culminating in her death in January 2019.
She says Nicole struggled with anxiety and depression after she complained to the police chief in 2017 about inappropriate relationships that she had with two senior officers. She says her sister felt aimless about where her life was headed before her death, and that her career had stalled and she had no other job prospects.
Jennifer described her sister as “very ambitious.” She added that Nicole joined the Vancouver Police Department to “speak up for victims” but that Nicole felt other officers may no longer want to work with her.
A civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the Chan family last year claims Nicole died during a severe mental health crisis after being “extorted” by an officer to continue a sexual relationship.
B.C.’s coroner has said the inquest will determine the facts related to Nicole’s death, make recommendations, and ensure public confidence that the circumstances of the death won’t be overlooked, concealed, or ignored.
The inquest comes after Sgt. David Van Patten was “let go” by the Vancouver Police Department in 2020 following an internal investigation.
The three allegations of “discreditable conduct” were confirmed during the investigation.
