A three-year investigation into the cause of death of a Lake Country woman has been deemed undetermined by the BC Coroners Service.

British Columbia Coroner Lori Moen has released her report into the 2016 death of Arlene Westervelt, who died after falling out of a canoe.

In April, 2019, it was reported that after a lengthy police investigation Lambertus (Bert) Westervelt was formally charged with second degree murder for the alleged homicide death of his wife. In July 2020, however, the charges were stayed.

READ MORE: Lake Country man charged in the 2016 killing of his wife

At the time, Arlene鈥檚 family expressed their disapproval of the decision.

鈥淗e said she disappeared into the lake and was gone. We don鈥檛 believe it. We have never believed that,鈥� said Arlene鈥檚 sister, Debbie Hennig.

READ MORE: Charge stayed against Lake Country man accused of killing his wife

READ MORE: 鈥榃hat changed?鈥� asks family of dead Lake Country woman after murder charge stayed

On June 26, 2016, a canoe carrying the couple flipped, and Arlene disappeared. Both individuals knew how to swim. A nearby boater rescued Lambertus, and Arlene鈥檚 body was recovered a day later from Okanagan Lake by RCMP. She was found in 35 feet of water, approximately 100 feet from the shore.

Although criminality was not originally suspected, individuals close to the family reported concerns regarding Arlene and Lambertus鈥� relationship. A criminal investigation began, and the coroner directed an autopsy to be conducted.

Moen鈥檚 coroner report failed to identify one specific cause of death.

An autopsy showed no external injuries other than a small bruise on Arlene鈥檚 upper lip. The coroner identified an issue with her heart鈥檚 left chamber, which may have been caused by high blood pressure or undiagnosed heart disease. This could have increased the risk of heart failure.

However, one specific cause of death could not be identified. Drowning could not be confirmed or ruled out.

鈥淎fter careful consideration of all available evidence, given the competing possibilities with respect to Ms. Westervelt鈥檚 death and the lack of compelling corroborative evidence to support one possible cause of death over the others, the cause of Ms. Westervelt鈥檚 death remains undetermined.

鈥淚, therefore, classify the manner of death as undetermined and make no recommendations.鈥�

-With files from Michael Rodriguez

Editor鈥檚 note: A previous version of this story stated that in July 2020, the charges against Lambertus Westervelt were dropped. This is incorrect. The charges were stayed.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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