Josh Derrah, 28, died on Dec. 20 alone, in the cold, outside of the A&W restaurant leaving his partner Gina Dias, friends, and an estranged five-year-old daughter behind.
The RCMP said Derrah, who often went by J.D., died from a suspected drug overdose. Members of the community believe the recent cold temperatures and lack of suitable warming shelters also played a role.
鈥淲ith no services at night or security to check on them they are left to die on the streets at night,鈥� said Duncan merchant Will Arnold, who, in addition to running a long-time business located along the Duncan corridor, regularly checks in on and interacts with the area鈥檚 homeless population.
The night Derrah died, temperatures dipped below freezing. It felt like -6 C with the windchill, according to Environment Canada.
Dias had gone to warm up but Derrah stayed behind. When she returned, he was dead.
No warming shelter was open at the time.
鈥淲ith the current and drastic temperatures that Canada is experiencing, the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP is working very closely with the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the warming shelters that are being set up to assist those who are in need,鈥� said the RCMP in a release.
The reality is, according to Duncan鈥檚 mayor, it鈥檚 just not that easy and even when things seem to be on track, sometimes plans fall apart.
Mayor Michelle Staples said the emergency cold weather shelter was supposed to open on Dec. 18 but there were last-minute staffing issues forcing a delay.
鈥淧eople were sick. They just didn鈥檛 have enough people,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o then we regrouped and went through emergency services through the regional district.鈥�
With the help of volunteers and organizations who stepped up in a pinch, a shelter was able to open the night of Derrah鈥檚 death, but with space for just 30 people.
Staples said finding a location for a shelter has been challenging.
鈥淭here鈥檚 been a group of people trying to find a location since last spring,鈥� she said, adding this year they were able to find a location last minute but then the staffing issues popped up.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not used to sickness putting people out like this,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese are really circumstances beyond anyone鈥檚 control.鈥�
While it鈥檚 an issue that she admits keeps her up at night, Staples said things would be a lot worse if not for the Cowichan community.
鈥淲e do have an amazing community that really rallies around and tries to find solutions,鈥� she said.
BC Coroners Service spokesperson Ryan Panton confirmed their office is investigating a sudden death in the same area at the same time as Derrah鈥檚 but was unable confirm any details as their file is still open.
