Homicide unit reviewing case of man’s death after push from family
The family of a Calgary man found dead earlier this month is demanding answers from police, saying the man’s body and the investigation into his death were “handled improperly.”
Darrell Kevin Smith, 48, was found dead at a residence in the 3400 block of 19 Street N.E. on the morning of Aug. 12. Police originally called the death suspicious, but now say Smith died of a “tragic drug overdose.”
But Smith’s brother said his sibling ’s body had “stab wounds” and a large gash on his head, along with other mysterious marks and puncture wounds, when the body was viewed by Smith’s mother for identification.
“He was all bruised,” Darrell’s mother Betty Smith said. “He didn’t look like Darrell.”
Marvin Smith also says family members were not notified of Darrell’s death, only finding out his brother had been killed through word of mouth.
“They didn’t follow protocol and didn’t get a hold of next of kin,” Marvin said. “How we found out about the death was through my cousin, who more or less lives on the streets.”
Darrell’s brother Ben Smith said that Darrell was attending a house party the night before his body was found, adding his brother had been known to experiment with drugs in the past.
Marvin said the family has been trying to get answers from police and the Medical Examiner’s office on why Darrell’s body had so many wounds if he died of an overdose, calling the injuries evidence of “sloppiness” and “incompetence.”
“We’re not going to go silent, and that’s probably what they ’re trying to do,” he said, adding the First Nations family believes “systematic racism” played a part in the investigation being closed so quickly.
Marvin said the family has many unanswered questions around Darrell’s death.
In a statement, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said staff members carry out “critical work to ensure that families have answers about their loved ones and to help them find closure during one of the most traumatic times of their lives.”
“The OCME, the RCMP and the Calgary police have separately reached out to the family on numerous occasions, prior to today, to try to answer any questions they had, and hopefully alleviate any remaining concerns,” the office added.
More than two dozen supporters attended a peaceful protest in front of the Medical Examiner’s office at 4070 Bowness Road N.W. on Thursday afternoon.
Police say a formal complaint into the investigation has been made but the cause of death identified by the medical examiner is still considered an overdose.
A police spokesperson confirmed members of the homicide unit are “reviewing the facts of the case.”
A candlelight vigil honouring Darrell will be held at 1206 - 15 Ave S.W starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
For more information visit the Facebook page Justice for Darrell Kevin Smith.