Coroner's inquest into Tatyanna Harrison's death begins July 2
Inquest will examine circumstances around 2022 death of 20-year-old Indigenous woman and police investigation failures.
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A coroner's inquest into the death of Tatyanna Harrison will begin July 2 at Burnaby Coroners' Court, reopening questions about police investigation failures and systemic gaps in how vulnerable young Indigenous women are treated.
Harrison, 20, was found dead in a dry-docked yacht in Richmond on May 2, 2022, but wasn't identified until August that year. Her mother reported her missing in May after not hearing from her since March.
Police initially said Harrison died of a lethal fentanyl overdose, but later determined she died of sepsis. A review ordered by the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner found in February 2026 that two Vancouver police officers failed to conduct a missing person's risk assessment despite clear warning signs. A retired B.C. judge ruled the officers should have prioritized Harrison as high-risk.
"Tatyanna was vulnerable and at high risk for harm," her mother Natasha said at the time of the ruling. "She needed to be considered high priority by law enforcement, she needed immediate action by law enforcement."
B.C.'s chief coroner, Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, ordered the inquest to allow "a broad, open and transparent review" of Harrison's death. Baidwan also reopened investigations into the deaths of Chelsea Poorman and Noelle O'Soup, young Indigenous women found dead long after being reported missing.
The inquest, presided over by Coroner Larry Marzinzik with a jury, will determine facts and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths. It begins at 9:30 a.m. July 2 and will be live-streamed.