An inquest into the 2023 deaths of a man, a woman and their two children in northern B.C. has been postponed again, according to the coroner’s service.
Four members of a family were found dead in a home in Prince Rupert in June of 2023, according to a statement from the RCMP at the time, which did not identify the deceased or provide any information about the investigation other than that there were no outstanding suspects in the homicide case.
In the days after the shocking discovery friends identified the family.
A coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of the deaths of Janet Nguyen, Christopher Duong and their sons, four-year-old Alexander and two-year-old Harlan, was set to begin last week. It was postponed due to a strike by the BC General Employees’ Union and the Professional Employees Association and tentatively rescheduled for Oct. 14.
It has now been rescheduled for February of 2026.
“Inquests are important to families, communities and the public, and understanding during this period of disruption is appreciated,” a statement from the BC Coroners Service said.
An inquest was not mandatory in the circumstances.
“The Coroners Act permits the chief coroner to direct an inquest if the chief coroner has reason to believe the public has an interest in being informed about the circumstances surrounding a death, or the death resulted from a dangerous practice or circumstance, and similar deaths could be prevented through recommendations,” the agency’s statement explained.
A jury will hear evidence from witnesses to make findings of fact, but cannot “make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law,” according to the coroners service.