Coroner's inquest to examine death of Colton Clarkin next week

A coroner's inquest into the death of Colton Clarkin will be held in Charlottetown next week.

Clarkin was 27 years old when he died by suicide in the summer of 2023. He was being held in custody at the Hillsborough Hospital in Charlottetown, but he was classified as "absent without leave" from the psychiatric hospital at the time of his death.

Except when a death is clearly due to natural causes, the Prince Edward Island coroner's office calls a public inquest any time a person dies while they are an inmate in a provincial jail, correctional facility or other institution because they are in the care of the province.  

The purpose of the inquest is to establish the facts surrounding that person's death and let a jury make recommendations to prevent something similar from happening in the future.

"This inquest marks an important step toward understanding the circumstances leading up to Colton's passing, and ensuring that no other family has to go through the same pain as the Clarkins," a lawyer for the family said in an email to CBC News. 

"The family hopes that the inquest will not only bring them some closure, but that it may also contribute to meaningful change to address gaps in P.E.I.'s health-care and criminal justice systems, particularly for individuals battling addictions."

Under care of Health P.E.I.

Clarkin was admitted to Hillsborough Hospital in September 2022 after he was found not criminally responsible on four charges, including resisting arrest, possession of stolen property and firearms-related offences.

A "not criminally responsible" verdict is rendered when a person has committed a crime but was at the time suffering from a serious mental illness to the degree that they were incapable of understanding the nature and consequences of their actions.

The family hopes that the inquest will not only bring them some closure, but that it may also contribute to meaningful change to address gaps in P.E.I.'s health-care and criminal justice systems.— Lawyer for Clarkin family

A report from Prince Edward Island's Criminal Code Review Board in the months before Clarkin's death in 2023 painted a picture of his time in the facility. It was marked by a resistance to treatment, periods of unexcused absence from the hospital, and continued drug use during those times.

"There is agreement that Mr. Clarkin has opiate use disorder, stimulant use disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality traits and schizotypal personality traits. There is disagreement as to whether Mr. Clarkin has a psychotic disorder," the report reads.

"Mr. Clarkin refuses to take antipsychotic medication, so it is unknown whether such medication would have a positive impact on his health and behaviour."

The board ultimately concluded that Clarkin was to remain in Hillsborough Hospital as he was still a "significant threat to the safety of the public."

On July 29, Charlottetown Police asked the public for assistance in locating Clarkin, noting that he had last been seen the day before on Murchison Lane — the road leading to and from the psychiatric hospital.

His body was later found on the Confederation Trail north of the city, in the South Winsloe area. A death notice posted by his family lists July 29 as the date of his death.

"The Clarkin family has endured immense hardship in the time since Colton's death. No family should have to experience the pain and loss they have suffered, nor the added burden of reliving the experience in such a public forum," the family's lawyer said.

"The Clarkin family remains hopeful that the process will provide the public with a clearer understanding of the Colton they knew and loved, shed some much-needed light on Colton's experiences, and help answer some outstanding questions about the system in which Colton found himself."

The Hillsborough Hospital is operated by Health P.E.I. Officials declined to comment ahead of the inquest. The health authority will also be represented by legal counsel during the proceedings. 

The inquest is scheduled to run for three days, from April 2 to 4.