Affidavit of Michael Bear - Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry

the scene. Asking a staff member
of a group home who worked with the
deceased to identify her is extremely traumatic in itself but the added feature
of identification being made in the squalid surroundings of this garage would
certainly add to this trauma. In my view, such identification could have
been made at the Health Sciences Centre in appropriate surroundings
without endangering the two valid concerns. This will be further considered
with respect to the recommendations of this fatality inquiry.
[7] It would appear from the medical investigator's investigation that
Tracia Owen met her death by suicide by hanging and this is consistent with
all the evidence presented at the inquiry.
[8] The medical investigator's evidence was further confirmed as a result
of the autopsy performed by Dr. Susan Phillips, a pathologist at the Health
Sciences Centre. Her report indicated a ligature mark on the deceased'
neck, the small laceration of the back of the head consistent with her fall
from being cut down and the results of toxicology indicated cocaine and
cocaine metabolites. The cause of death was asphyxiation, in this case by
hanging. Again consistent with the circumstances surrounding the death of
Tracia Owen.
[9] The only surprise in the autopsy findings was the lack of Prozac in the
blood. None was found yet evidence was presented at the inquiry that the
deceased was prescribed Prozac and according to staff at the group home
was taking this drug.
[10] In order to try and clarify this possible discrepancy the toxicologist,
Robert Meatherwell, testified. The qualitative drug screen found only
cocaine and Ibuprofen and no anti-depressant Fluoxetine, commonly known
as Prozac. After an extensive inquiry, the best evidence is that even taking
into consideration the amount taken, the shelf life of the drug and the
metabolism, there should have been some indication of Prozac found in the
drug screen if it had been taken one to three days prior to death. It would
appear therefore that this discrepancy will remain despite the efforts made to
find a concrete answer. With us left with the possibility that although staff
were giving Prozac to Tracia and watching her take it, she might not have
been swallowing it and later discarding it.
[11] To complete the issue of Prozac, I will say the following. Evidence
was called on the issue of prescribing Prozac or other anti-depressants for
adolescents. Besides viva voce evidence from Dr. Linda Collison, a number
of medical articles were filed by the respective parties. Needless to say, the
subject of anti-depressants for adolescents is fraught with controversy with