Thompson Rivers University executive Christopher Seguin's fatal drug overdose ruled accidental, result of fentanyl

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      Authorities have confirmed that the drug that killed a Thompson Rivers University executive last year was fentanyl.

      Thompson Rivers University vice president of advancement Christopher Seguin was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Victoria on September 11, 2017. He died later at Royal Jubilee Hospital on September 22.

      According to a B.C. Coroners Service report released this week (June 20), the powerful synthetic opioid was found in Seguin's body at the time of his death alongside alcohol.

      “The combination of alcohol and fentanyl can produce greater respiratory depression,” the report reads.

      "Examination of the hotel room revealed bottles of alcohol. No illicit substances or drug paraphernalia were present," the report adds. “Mr. Seguin’s medical history included past alcohol overuse, but no documented history of illicit substance use."

      The Kamloop's man's official cause of death is described as "anoxic brain injury due to mixed drug toxicity”. It was ruled an accident.

      Seguin was 39 years old. He worked at the Kamloops university since 2007. Before that, he was employed at Simon Fraser University for 12 years. He was married and the father to two boys.

      “Christopher’s passion and the boundless energy which he used to help improve the lives of others are the stories that deserve our focus,” reads a statement Seguin's released shortly after his death. “He worked tirelessly with many organizations and his efforts were recognized by the Province of British Columbia through a BC Community Achievement Award in 2015 and all who knew him could vouch for his compassion and breadth of public service.”

      A description of himself that Seguin wrote at the top of his LinkedIn profile page emphasizes his priorities. "I love my family, my career and my community," it reads. "It is an honour and a pleasure to do what I do, and to build a better TRU and Kamloops."

      There were 1,448 illicit-drug overdose deaths in B.C. in 2017, up from 992 in 2016, 523 in 2015, and 368 in 2014. Fentanyl was detected in 84 percent of 2017 cases, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

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