John Boyce died in hospital in Vancouver in late July 2023 from an apparent brain injury, after being detained by police at the Craig St. market in Parksville a few nights earlier. The origin of Boyce's injury is unclear, with police being cleared of any wrongdoing. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

no charges

Mounties cleared after man dies in hospital shortly after arrest in Parksville

Feb 11, 2025 | 10:28 AM

PARKSVILLE — Oceanside RCMP officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing after the death of a man in their custody in 2023.

Mounties were called to the Summer by the Sea Street Market along Craig St. on July 18 after reports of a man, later identified as John Boyce, telling others he’d been assaulted the night prior.

A report from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) said Boyce, who was potentially intoxicated, was visibly injured.

“[Boyce] had a black eye and dried blood on his nose and hands. Another witness told IIO investigators that at one point she saw [Boyce] trip and fall, hitting the back of his head on the ground,” the report reads. “However, when a civilian witness called for an ambulance, [Boyce] stumbled away.”

Further calls to police were made after the initial incident, including one from a nearby gas station.

wanted

Man wanted for sexual assault known to visit Nanaimo

1h ago

industry pressures

'It feels like a fail:' historic Nanaimo auto repair business shuts its doors

7h ago

Jailed

Prolific Nanaimo offender jailed 7+ years for fentanyl trafficking

20h ago

Officers were told Boyce had “kicked over the equipment of a band playing at the market”, while another witness said Boyce had been “punched and kicked by “other homeless people”” at some point prior.

Police finally caught up to Boyce and took him into custody, noting he appeared intoxicated but “not showing any signs of serious injury.”

Boyce was taken to the Oceanside RCMP detachment at around 8 p.m., but was later released without charges the following morning once he had sobered up.

Surveillance of the cells overnight showed Boyce moving around “purposefully” every 10 to 15 minutes.

In the morning, Boyce was offered a shower and some clean clothes, but was still showing signs of intoxication so paramedics were called to assist.

Boyce was then taken to hospital and was found to be suffering from a brain injury.

He was transported to hospital in Vancouver, but died the morning of July 22.

“His autopsy report indicated that a significant contributing factor to Boyce’s cause of death was “complications of ruptured intracranial aneurysm with blunt force trauma,” according to the IIO.

The IIO stated there “is no evidence” which suggested any action or inaction from Oceanside RCMP officers contributed to Boyce’s death.

The report notes no witnesses observed any use of force, and Boyce did not complain of any injury while in custody at the Parksville detachment.

“He was properly monitored during his detention by experienced guards and the police response when he still appeared to be impaired in the morning was appropriate,” the report states. “The evidence is that [Boyce] was treated appropriately and respectfully by police throughout his interactions with them.”

No charges are being recommended against officers in connection with Boyce’s death.

The IIO, a civilian-led agency, automatically investigates any serious injury or death while interacting with or in custody of police officers in B.C.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook