RCMP Watch

Jun 8 2006 - CBC News

The RCMP have begun their investigation into the death of a man who attacked his elderly parents in a Kelowna suburb on Wednesday.
They say it’s possible Derrick Patrick Madrusan, 38, was suffering from excited delirium, caused by overuse of street drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

It took five officers to restrain Madrusan at his parents’ Westbank home early Wednesday morning.

“As the members began to restrain the male subject, he became very volatile, and an altercation ensued,” said Kelowna RCMP Insp. Steve McVarnock.

Madrusan passed out in the police car after being subdued and handcuffed. As neighbours watched on, paramedics performed CPR on him. Madrusan was then taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

While the RCMP believe that reasonable force was used, Kelowna RCMP Insp. Steve McVarnock said, there will be both an internal probe and an external criminal investigation.

“Pending that, there will be a coroner’s inquiry, and pending that, an independent officer will do a review,” he said.

McVarnock said Madrusan’s parents and a police officer suffered extensive injuries, but will recover.

Madrusan had a lengthy criminal record that included theft, assault and robbery. Most recently, he had served almost four years in jail, and was released just two months ago.