Inquest called into death of Mexican woman who died in border agency’s custody

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s coroner will hold a public inquest into the death of a Mexican woman who died by suicide after she attempted to hang herself while in custody at Vancouver’s airport.

Forty-two-year-old Lucia Vega Jimenez was found in a shower stall in a holding cell at the airport on Dec. 20, and she died in hospital a week later.

The story made headlines in late January, prompting scrutiny of how the Canada Border Services Agency handled the woman’s case and why it took so long for her death to become public.

The B.C. Corners Service says a jury will hear evidence during an inquest that is scheduled to begin on Sept. 29.

The jury will then make recommendations to prevent similar deaths, but as usual it cannot assign legal or civil blame.

The BC Civil Liberties Association and the advocacy group No One Is Illegal have called for an independent civilian inquiry.