In the hours leading up to the death of Heather Jones, her former partner says he tried to get help for their 22-year-old son, but the medical system failed them.
Martin Vandenberg Sr. told the Times Colonist on Friday that in the 24 hours before the suspicious death of Jones, a Salt Spring Island businesswoman, he took their son to Lady Minto Hospital to see a mental-health nurse.
“Martin needed and wanted to be admitted as a mental-health patient,” his father said in a Facebook message.
Over the next three hours, Martin Vandenberg Jr. was seen by a nurse, an intern and a doctor and finally the mental-health nurse he had asked for by name.
“But it was too late. Martin already had enough and wanted to go home to sleep. I tried to keep him there, but he was on a mission,” his father said.
Vandenberg Jr., who lives with his father on Salt Spring at a four-acre farm on Rainbow Road, said he was going back to that house to sleep. He ended up at his mother’s house on Maliview Road instead.
“I thought he was coming back home. He just wanted to go for a car ride with his mom then come home,” Vandenberg Sr. said.
Salt Spring Island RCMP were called to the Maliview Road home shortly before noon on Wednesday. Jones, 47, who was born and raised on the island and owned the taxi firm Amber Cabs Co., was found dead in the duplex she shared with her adult daughter.
Her son was arrested that day, then released from police custody and apprehended under the Mental Health Act.
Under Section 28, a police officer might apprehend and immediately take a person to a doctor for examination if the officer is satisfied the person is a danger to himself or others and is apparently a person with a mental disorder.
A doctor is then responsible for determining whether a person should remain under the care of a medical professional or be released from hospital, said RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Janelle Shoihet.
The mental-health apprehension and the criminal investigation are two separate matters, Shoihet explained.
Vandenberg Jr. has not been charged in connection with his mother’s death, but the criminal investigation is ongoing.
Vandenberg Sr. said he was able to see his son for a few minutes behind glass while he was in police custody.
He appeared dazed, confused and “drugged up.”
His son is now in hospital, Vandenberg Sr. said.
“We are all hurting,” said Salt Spring Island resident Mary Fraser. Fraser said many residents of Meadowbrook Seniors Residence developed a personal relationship with Jones because she was often their cab driver.
“It’s going to be really hard on them to have lost her,” Fraser said.
“I didn’t know her all that well, but I know she was a lovely girl. It’s hard to describe how nice she was. We’re all going to miss her very much.”
Maureen O’Brien, administrator at the supported living home, said Jones came to Meadowbrook almost every day.
“Heather was the lifeline for most of the residents,” O’Brien said.
“As you know, when you get older, you have to give up your car. She was dependable, reliable, a soft-spoken and gentle kind of person. I think the residents felt quite comfortable with her.”
Jones allowed customers to carry an account so they didn’t have to have exact change and would invite people to book in advance so they would make it on time to a doctor’s appointment, O’Brien said.
When the news came about her death, people were stunned by it, she said.
“It’s a small island. Everybody knows everybody. The people here probably had more of a friendly relationship with her.”
The 43 residents are stoic — they’ve seen it all, O’Brien said. Still, some find it hard to believe Jones has died under suspicious circumstances.
Jones is one of four sisters, said O’Brien, who recalled seeing her working at Country Grocer.
Dr. Richard Crow, Island Health’s executive medical director of population and community health, said in a statement: “Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot discuss anything about this case. As with any significant event, we review the facts to determine if there are learnings for the future.”
Island Health is supporting the RCMP in its investigation, Crow said. “We offer our sincerecondolences to the family of the woman who died. This is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved and for the community at large, including medical and Island Health staff.”
Crow said support is available to the family and Island Health staff, and community members can access help or counselling services through the 24-hour crisis line, Lady Minto Hospital, and the Southern Gulf Islands Mental Health and Substance Use team.
