Coroners inquest will review the deaths of Choi, Ayyad, Gilchrist

A coroner’s inquest will investigate the circumstances of the deaths of Gabriel Johnson Choi, Hasan Khaled Ayyad, and Allison Dawn Gilchrist from December 8 to 19, 2025, at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court. The BC Coroners Service initiated this inquest following a report on the deaths linked to interactions with the Chilliwack RCMP. Choi was 35, Ayyad was 29, and Gilchrist was 43 at the time of their deaths. Presiding coroner Carolyn Maxwell will lead the inquiry, which aims to determine key facts about the deaths and make preventive recommendations. The jury selected for the inquest will hear testimonies from witnesses under oath but cannot attribute legal responsibility for the deaths.

The public and media are prohibited from broadcasting or publishing any inquest proceedings to maintain confidentiality. This inquiry is significant as it addresses public interest in preventing similar future incidents. For more information, the BC Coroners Service provides resources on inquests and related policies.