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EXCLUSIVE: Death of 23-year-old woman found in Fraser River classified as BԪַundeterminedBԪַ: coroner

BԪַIBԪַm so heartbroken for Shae. IBԪַm disgusted with our systemBԪַ BԪַ Shaelene BellBԪַs mother
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Candles with messages from Shaelene BellBԪַs two boys were lit during her celebration of life at Sandpiper Resort on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Her death has been classified as BԪַundeterminedBԪַ by BC Coroners Service. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

The death of ChilliwackBԪַs Shaelene Keeler Bell has now been classified as BԪַundeterminedBԪַ by BC Coroners Service.

The report was released to Black Press Media by BellBԪַs mother, Alina Durham, on Thursday, Nov. 10.

BԪַUnfortunately, this is another broken system,BԪַ Durham said after receiving the report, parts of which she thinks are misleading.

Bell, a 23-year-old mother of two, was last seen on Jan. 30, 2021 and was reported missing to Chilliwack RCMP the next day. Her body was found on June 2, 2021 in the Fraser River near Coquitlam.

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BԪַPort Authority workers found her in the Fraser River, between the Pattullo and Port Mann bridges,BԪַ the coronerBԪַs report stated. BԪַAn autopsy revealed the cause of death was drowning. Additionally, there was no evidence of traumatic injury. Toxicological testing revealed the presence of her prescription medications.BԪַ

The immediate cause of death was BԪַasphyxia due to, or a consequence of, drowning.BԪַ

CoronersBԪַ reports place the death into one of five classifications: accidental, homicide, natural, suicide, or undetermined. BellBԪַs death was found to be undetermined.

On Feb. 1, 2021, police found her vehicle parked at the end of Ballam Road in Chilliwack near the Fraser River and, despite extensive searches by the police and the community, she remained missing until June 2, 2021.

Police did not find evidence to support foul play.

BԪַInvestigation did not reveal how or when Shaelene Bell entered the water. Family reported she was a competent swimmer,BԪַ the report stated. BԪַShe attended Chilliwack (General) Hospital on the evening of Jan. 29, 2021, and staff arranged an outpatient mental health appointment as she requested help with stress.BԪַ

Durham commented on the report after reading it.

BԪַThereBԪַs a very misleading paragraph. I feel that theyBԪַre implying something when we have no facts based on it at all,BԪַ she said.

BԪַIBԪַm so heartbroken for Shae. IBԪַm disgusted with our system.BԪַ

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Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
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