A three-year investigation into the cause of death of a Lake Country woman has been deemed undetermined by the BC Coroners Service.

British Columbia Coroner Lori Moen has released her report into the 2016 death of Arlene Westervelt, who died after falling out of a canoe.

In April, 2019, it was reported that after a lengthy police investigation Lambertus (Bert) Westervelt was formally charged with second degree murder for the alleged homicide death of his wife. In July 2020, however, the charges were stayed.

READ MORE: Lake Country man charged in the 2016 killing of his wife

At the time, Arlene香蕉视频直播檚 family expressed their disapproval of the decision.

香蕉视频直播淗e said she disappeared into the lake and was gone. We don香蕉视频直播檛 believe it. We have never believed that,香蕉视频直播� said Arlene香蕉视频直播檚 sister, Debbie Hennig.

READ MORE: Charge stayed against Lake Country man accused of killing his wife

READ MORE: 香蕉视频直播榃hat changed?香蕉视频直播� asks family of dead Lake Country woman after murder charge stayed

On June 26, 2016, a canoe carrying the couple flipped, and Arlene disappeared. Both individuals knew how to swim. A nearby boater rescued Lambertus, and Arlene香蕉视频直播檚 body was recovered a day later from Okanagan Lake by RCMP. She was found in 35 feet of water, approximately 100 feet from the shore.

Although criminality was not originally suspected, individuals close to the family reported concerns regarding Arlene and Lambertus香蕉视频直播� relationship. A criminal investigation began, and the coroner directed an autopsy to be conducted.

Moen香蕉视频直播檚 coroner report failed to identify one specific cause of death.

An autopsy showed no external injuries other than a small bruise on Arlene香蕉视频直播檚 upper lip. The coroner identified an issue with her heart香蕉视频直播檚 left chamber, which may have been caused by high blood pressure or undiagnosed heart disease. This could have increased the risk of heart failure.

However, one specific cause of death could not be identified. Drowning could not be confirmed or ruled out.

香蕉视频直播淎fter careful consideration of all available evidence, given the competing possibilities with respect to Ms. Westervelt香蕉视频直播檚 death and the lack of compelling corroborative evidence to support one possible cause of death over the others, the cause of Ms. Westervelt香蕉视频直播檚 death remains undetermined.

香蕉视频直播淚, therefore, classify the manner of death as undetermined and make no recommendations.香蕉视频直播�

-With files from Michael Rodriguez

Editor香蕉视频直播檚 note: A previous version of this story stated that in July 2020, the charges against Lambertus Westervelt were dropped. This is incorrect. The charges were stayed.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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