Ex-husband of Edmonton woman shot by Calgary police calls for mental health response training

Adam Vaananen, ex-husband of Melanie Hambrook, an Edmonton woman killed by Calgary police last month, is calling for police services to fundamentally rethink how they respond to people experiencing mental health crises.

Hambrook was in the Calgary area in June when she was reported driving erratically. Police pursued her for more than 24 hours before a traffic stop on Deerfoot Trail on June 21. According to police and Alberta's Serious Incident Response Team, Hambrook remained in her vehicle armed with a knife. Officers used pepper spray, a conducted energy weapon, a projectile launcher, and a rifle. She died in hospital.

Vaananen said he and Hambrook remained close despite their separation and had been in regular contact, including in the days before her death. He described her as a devoted mother to their 16-year-old son, with a strong sense of humour and a passion for art.

"It wasn't pre-determined for her to do this," Vaananen said. "She was having a real mental issue and it's real." He said Hambrook had experienced mental health challenges but was never violent and had been receiving treatment.

"They should have taken mental illness issues way more seriously. She did not need to be shot for this. There are multiple ways of subduing someone, even if they have a mental breakdown and are endangering people," Vaananen said. "It makes me so angry."

An online fundraiser has been launched to help cover Hambrook's funeral and memorial expenses, with remaining funds supporting their son, who shares his mother's love of drawing and art. "It's a way for her memory to live… through our son," Vaananen said.