Tatyanna Harrison’s death classified as ‘natural’, not drug-related

An Indigenous woman whose disappearance in Metro Vancouver prompted a massive search did not die of drug toxicity as was initially reported, according to the BC Coroners Service.

The Vancouver Police Department said in August 2022 that the coroner had determined Tatyanna Harrison, whose body was found in May of that year, “died from drug toxicity, specifically fentanyl.”

However, in a report from earlier this year, the coroner is classifying Harrison’s death as “natural,” noting she “died as a result of sepsis” sometime between April 22 and May 1, 2022.

While her mother, Natasha, officially reported Tatyanna missing to the Surrey RCMP on May 3, she notes her daughter had been unaccounted for for more than eight weeks.

The 20-year-old’s body was found in a boat at a Richmond marina on May 1, 2022, but she was not positively identified until Aug. 6, 2022.

In the new report, the coroner says “there was no evidence of inflicted injury or self-harm,” adding “paraphernalia often associated with illicit substance use” was found inside the boat.

“Despite investigative efforts by police, it remains unknown how Tatyanna came to be on the drydocked boat in Richmond where she was discovered deceased,” the new coroner’s report reads, adding Tatyanna’s whereabouts after April 22 up until her body was discovered also remain unclear.

“Tatyanna’s medical history included problematic substance use and mental health concerns. She had, in the past, experienced seizure activity on several occasions.”

In addition to no evidence of self-inflicted harm, the coroner says the autopsy also found “no evidence of injuries which would have caused or contributed to death.”

It notes examination of her heart and brain showed evidence of sepsis, which is described as a blood infection that can be fatal if not treated.

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The coroner adds toxicology testing showed “a very low (non-toxic) level of fentanyl” in Tatyanna’s system.

“Tatyanna’s low body mass index indicates a state of malnutrition/low caloric intake which would be expected to have a negative impact on her overall health, including her ability to ward off infections. Additionally, those using drugs are at an increased risk of developing severe infections, including sepsis,” the report reads.

Given the woman’s death is now being deemed natural, the coroner is making no recommendations.

‘I had, in my heart, known that she hadn’t passed from an overdose’

Natasha tells CityNews she wasn’t surprised with the coroner’s final determination.

“When I was first told on August 5th that she had passed from fentanyl toxicity from the police, I believed it to be true. She had substance abuse issues. But then, on August 8th, I spoke to the coroner and made our calls, and after getting off the phone with the coroner, they also confirmed she passed from fentanyl toxicity but then proceeded to tell me the scene, the way her body was found — none of that pointed towards an overdose to me,” Tatyanna’s mother explained, noting her family has lost many people to drugs.

“I had, in my heart, known that she hadn’t passed from an overdose because the scene didn’t make any sense to that and I was quite upset prior, I didn’t believe it. So when I got the report back, there was some kind of — I can’t say relief — I wasn’t surprised. I felt like at least I wasn’t being lied to. It was a confirmation.”

Natasha says she got the coroner’s report on Feb. 15, 2023 from a lawyer. She continues to question how the investigation played out, noting she can’t get a concrete answer as to when exactly Tatyanna actually died or whether her daughter was sexually assaulted.

Lorelei Williams, the founder of Butterflies in Spirit and Skatin and Sts’ailes Nation member, echoes many of Natasha’s concerns.

“Right away, I’m upset that the police came out and said that it was a drug overdose right off the bat. But also, even if they’re saying that, the way she was found … there’s just so many complications in the story in this case that it’s just upsetting all together, overall,” Williams told CityNews Monday.

She says communication with officials has also been a source of frustration.

“One of the many reasons why our Indigenous women and girls go missing and murdered is because of these kinds of situations that happen, these kind of flaws,” Williams explained.

Natasha says she’s heard very little from officials since last summer.

“Nobody’s reached out to me, nobody’s apologized for misinformation being released, nobody’s said anything. And I’ve sat back and I’m waiting for this information so I can go in an appropriate order … but I haven’t really heard from anybody. They haven’t offered any supports. They were very involved when she was missing because I was involved with them … but they haven’t been there for me, at all,” Natasha said of police.

“I know Tat’s case isn’t unique. This is happening time and time and time again, so much so that it’s very intentional, because not everyone’s treated this way,” Tatyanna’s mother continued, noting her non-Indigenous brothers “weren’t treated this way.” 

“My daughter’s a quarter — there’s a big thing there. She’s Brazilian and Scottish on my side, Irish and Indigenous on her father’s side — Cree and Metis. And that’s all she needed to be discriminated against.”

Speaking through tears, Natasha said Tatyanna would be “so furious” to see how her case was being handled.

“I know her spirit’s with me,” an emotional Natasha said, adding many families’ stories aren’t being told.

“It’s so unnecessary to cause people this kind of trauma. How can you sleep at night knowing this is what you’re doing to people? Just answer the questions, help the families heal,” Natasha added, speaking to police.

In addition to community-led search efforts, Tatyanna’s disappearance also prompted vigils and calls for police to do more to find the Indigenous woman.

After the VPD said the coroner had ruled Tatyanna’s death a result of drug toxicity, Natasha said in a statement that she was concerned Vancouver police were not investigating her daughter’s death as a possible sex crime. She also said that she was concerned that a full toxicology report was not done.

“She had money in her bank since April 27th and never accessed it. … [I’m concerned the police] are labeling this non-suspicious and closing the case before a full toxicology report [is completed]. According to the coroner, the full report won’t be back for a possible 2 or 3 months,” Natasha’s statement at the time said.

At a vigil last year held for Tatyanna, Chelsea Poorman, and Noelle O’Soup — both also Indigenous and later found dead — Williams urged police to “stop devaluing and dehumanizing Indigenous women and girls and two-spirit people, by sending a clear message through their actions.”

Natasha Harrison, second right, is comforted during a vigil for her daughter Tatyanna Harrison, 20, and for Noelle O’Soup, 13, and Chelsea Poorman, 24, in Richmond, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Family members of Indigenous women killed across B.C. say there needs to be more accountability and improved communication between police jurisdictions during investigations of missing people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

“The system is set up to fail Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people, making us easy targets for violent men. This is why our Indigenous women are going missing and being murdered at a high rate,” Williams added.

Speaking with CityNews Monday, Natasha said her heart went out to Chelsea and Noelle’s families, saying their cases bear similarities to her own daughter’s story.

“The police need to do something about it. But we lose hope that they’re capable of it. I haven’t lost hope in society, seeing what’s happening. I’ve lost hope in a lot of police that I’ve dealt with, and I know there’s good ones out there. They’re in there and they’re trying to push for change. You can’t have a whole organization of just bad, there’s always good and bad. I just hope the good ones are in there hearing us and doing what they can from the inside,” Natasha said.

-With files from Charlie Carey