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Cowichan Bay man in medically induced coma after assault on pier

A 58-year-old Cowichan Bay man is in a medically induced coma after an attack left him with serious head injuries. The man, identified by friends as Jody Williams, was assaulted on May 28 at around 10 p.m.
Jody Williams 2
Family members say Jody Williams, 58, was assaulted on May 28 after he confronted a 41-year-old man and a 49-year-old man who were allegedly urinating off a pier in Cowichan Bay. FAMILY PHOTO

A 58-year-old Cowichan Bay man is in a medically induced coma after an attack left him with serious head injuries.

The man, identified by friends as Jody Williams, was assaulted on May 28 at around 10 p.m. after he confronted a 41-year-old man and a 49-year-old man who were allegedly urinating off Pier 66 in Cowichan Bay. The victim was struck on the head by one of the men, and hit his head again as he fell, according to RCMP.

Williams was airlifted to a Victoria hospital with two cracks in his skull and hemorrhaging in his left frontal cortex, according to a fundraising page set up by Kat Marie Skakun, the daughter of Williams’ partner, Anita Laminman.

Williams underwent surgery to remove a piece of his skull to relieve swelling. Surgeons also removed a section of his left frontal lobe.

He is expected to be in a medically induced coma for the next seven to 10 days, and the family has been told that even after he wakes up, he could be in hospital for months or even a year, Skakun told the Times Colonist in an interview.

“[Laminman] is really bracing for a new normal,” Skakun said. “We don’t really know what to expect when he wakes up.”

Skakun set up the fundraising page to help her mother with trips to and from the hospital and make up for the time she’s taking off work to be by Williams’ bedside. Laminman had just returned to work at Classic Marine Ltd. after a long medical leave, which has added to the financial strain, Skakun said.

As of Thursday evening, the fundraising page had raised $2,492.

Williams and Laminman are well known in the Cowichan Bay boating community — that’s how they met — and both have boats in the harbour. They’ve been together for six years, Skakun said.

“Jody has been a carpenter/handyman in the area quick to come to the aid of those who can’t help themselves,” Skakun wrote on the fundraising page. “These are just two good people who need a hand.”

Williams loves to fish, golf and enjoy the outdoors, Skakun said. “He likes to be outdoors and feels the most at peace on the water.”

Williams does not have any children. His mother lives in the Lower Mainland.

Skakun said she and her mother are still in shock at what happened to Williams.

She said he is very protective of his community. “He probably said something to get these men to move along and was not asking for a fight in any way.”

Two men were arrested at the scene and have since been released.

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP continue to investigate and are looking for witnesses.

Insp. Chris Bear, officer in charge of North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, said several people have been interviewed and one provided a cellphone video, but police would like to speak to anyone else with information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 250-748-5522.

kderosa@timescolonist.com